Bryan brothers lose final, denied record 12th slam
Justin Bergman, Associated Press, Melbourne | Sat, 01/28/2012 8:03 PM
Old friends: Leander Paes of India (center right) and Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic (center left) pose with the trophy, surrounded by ball boys during the awarding ceremony after defeating USA's Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan in their men's doubles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne on Saturday. Paes and Stepanek won 7-6 (1), 6-2. (AP/Sarah Ivey)
Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek denied Bob and Mike Bryan their record 12th Grand Slam doubles title, beating the American twins 7-6 (1), 6-2 in the final of the Australian Open on Saturday.
The 33-year-old Bryans were attempting to secure their place as the most decorated doubles team since the Open Era began in 1968. The Bryan brothers remain level on 11 major titles with the Australian duo of Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge.
Paes and Stepanek are veteran doubles players but were teaming up for just the fourth time. Before partnering for a tuneup event at Sydney earlier this month, the Indian and Czech duo hadn't played together for nearly six years.
The Bryans have captured each major at least once, but they've been most dominant at Melbourne Park, where they've won four straight Australian titles and six overall. They hadn't lost here since the quarterfinals in 2008.
