News

By Jason Brown, USTA.com


SANTIAGO, Chile – As they’ve done so many times before, Bob and Mike Bryan earned their country the crucial doubles point, putting the United States in the driver’s seat.

The Bryan Brothers defeated Nicolas Massu and Jorge Aguilar in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (4), giving the United States an important lead against Chile, 2-1, in the best-of-five World Group First Round series.

"These guys put us in a great spot today, and we’ll be back at it with the hard hats on, just like we have all week," said U.S. Captain Jim Courier.

Getting off to a quick start, the Bryans broke the Chileans on their first service game of the match and began to stretch out their lead.

Down two sets to love, Massu and Aguilar showed resilience, breaking the Bryans and consolidating their lead in the third set to 4-2. Massu served for an opportunity to force a fourth set but fell behind, 0-40. Netting a forehand, Massu handed the advantage back to the Americans, who forced a tiebreak.

Aguilar and Massu each coughed up unforced errors to begin the breaker. With two match points against them, Massu struck a forehand volley into the net on the second match point, and the win was secured for Bob and Mike, who celebrated at mid-court with their signature chest bump.

With the win, the Bryans improved their Davis Cup playing record together to 17-2, and 18-2 for each in doubles, overall.

"These guys have pretty much been a lock since the get-go," said Courier. "They proved it again today that they’re a big, big asset for the United States team. These guys come to play every day. They’re the toughest out in tennis by a long shot."

Due to injuries and player nominations, the Bryans hadn’t played together for the United States since the 2009 quarterfinals.

"It kind of felt like we were back at home," said Mike Bryan. "It’s been over a year since we played a Davis Cup match. I had the food poisoning (2010 first round vs. Serbia), and then they took another team down to Colombia, so it felt really good to get back out there. There’s no excitement like Davis Cup. We just had a blast out there today, especially playing for Jim."
 
The series concludes on Sunday at Santiago’s Estadio Nacional Court Central with reverse singles matches featuring Andy Roddick against Paul Capdeville, followed by John Isner and Massu.

Roddick is a career 1-0 against Capdeville but, more important, a remarkable 11-0 in his Davis Cup career when given a chance to clinch a tie.

"Andy’s been a closer for us before, and we know that he’s going to be ready," said Bob Bryan.

Even with steep history against them, Chile isn’t ready to concede the series.

"Paul is feeling great and feeling hyper to play against Roddick," said Chilean Captain Hans Gildemeister. "He has nothing to lose and is going for it."

On Friday, after nearly two years removed from the competition, Roddick made a triumphant return, winning the opening match of the World Group First Round series in four sets over Massu, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Then, up two sets to none, No. 2 singles player John Isner was toppled by a gutty effort from Chile’s No. 1 player Paul Capdeville, falling 6-7 (5), 6-7 (2), 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5), 6-4.

Should the U.S. need him in the fifth rubber, Courier shook off health concerns and asserted that Isner is ready to go.

The United States holds an unbeaten Davis Cup record of 4-0 against Chile, including the most recent encounter during the 2006 quarterfinals, a 3-2 victory on grass in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

The winner between the United States and Chile advances to meet Spain in the quarterfinals, July 8-10.

Spain holds an insurmountable 3-0 advantage over host Belgium. Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco defeated Steve Darcis and Olivier Rochus in the doubles rubber, 7-6 (0), 6-4, 6-3, following singles wins from Rafael Nadal and Verdasco.

If the Americans go on to win, they are guaranteed to host the quarterfinal tie against Spain at a site to be determined.

And with a deep six-man squad that also includes 2010 playoffs hero Mardy Fish and the ascending Sam Querrey, the Americans have good reason to be bullish on the future.

"Everyone’s at a great spot in their career. Everyone has experience. Everyone is confident and playing well," said Bob Bryan. "Andy’s been a rock for this team for 10-plus years. You’ve got eager guys, like Sam and John, who haven’t done it before, so they’re chomping at the bit to make a Davis Cup mark. And Mardy has proven that he’s clutch in this situation. You put Jim on top of that, and we’ve got some stuff that we can work with."

Schedule of Play:

Friday
R1: Andy Roddick (USA) def. Nicolas Massu (CHI), 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
R2: Paul Capdeville (CHI) def. John Isner (USA), 6-7 (5), 6-7 (2), 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5), 6-4

Saturday
R3: Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan (USA) def. Jorge Aguilar/Nicolas Massu (CHI), 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (4)

Sunday
R4: Andy Roddick (USA) vs. Paul Capdeville (CHI)
[LIVE on Tennis Channel at 9am ET]

R5: John Isner (USA) vs. Nicolas Massu (CHI)
[LIVE on Tennis Channel at 12pm ET]