While the vast majority of tennis fans had their eyes on the singles tournament, and most likely, on the men’s tournament, there was more going on than wondering if any of the big 4 would win.
The Bryan brothers tied the Woodies by winning their 11th Slam title. Compared to Federer’s 16 titles, this seems paltry, especially since doubles players have longer careers than singles players. The Bryan brothers have only won Wimbledon once before, back in 2006, but they have reached the finals 3 other times.
This wasn’t an easy win. Back in the third round, they were pushed to a marathon fifth set against the veteran team of Paul Hanley and Simon Aspelin, 16-14. Most doubles teams rotate around after spending a few years with a partner. The Bryan brothers, by and large, have stayed together for all these years. In the semifinals faced the team of Michael Llodra and Nenad Zimonjic. Zimonjic split up with Daniel Nestor at the end of last year. This team was up a break on the Bryans in the fifth set, but the Bryans came back and broke twice to take the match 9-7 in the fifth.
In the final, they met the Swedish-Romanian team of Lindstedt and Tecau. These two were in the finals last year and were runners-up. Because Tecau got broken early in both sets, this team was doomed to another runner up spots. The Bryans took the third set in a tiebreak to win their second Wimbledon title.
They have 11 titles in 18 Slam finals appearances.
Last year, Jurgen Melzer and Phillip Petzschner won the Wimbledon doubles title. These two lost to the Bryans in quarterfinals. However, Melzer did not leave Wimbledon empty handed. Melzer teamed up with Benesova to beat the team of Bhupathi and Vesnina, 6-3, 6-2.
Britain’s hopes normally rest on the racquet of Andy Murray. However, this year, a Brit, Liam Broady (see picture) reached the finals of junior boys Wimbledon as the 15th seed. He faced the 16th seed, Australian player, Luke Saville. Saville had actually reached the finals of the Australian Open singles this year losing to top seed, Jiri Vesely. Broady won the junior doubles of Wimbledon in 2010.
Shortly after his three set loss to Luke Saville, Broady had to come out and play doubles. Britain has a bit more talent in doubles. Three of the four semifinalists in junior doubles featured British players. Broady and Horansky lost to George Morgan (of the UK) and Mate Pavic. This team, the second seed, beat top seed Oliver Golding (also of the UK) and Jiri Vesely).
Broady had a brief discussion with Novak Djokovic at the beginning of the tournament as Broady (a lefty) had a hit with Djokovic. Djokovic advised the importance of being mentally tough in winning matches.
The Brits hope the trio of Oliver Golding, George Morgan, and Liam Broady might join Andy Murray at the top of the ranks, and at least field a reasonable Davis Cup team, if not challenge for Slams.
