Houston (USA), Nov 13: American twins Mike and Bob Bryan clinched the ATP year-end world number one doubles ranking at the Masters cup here, becoming the first brothers to ever achieve the honour after India's Mahesh Bhupathi and Belarus' Max Mirnyi crashed out of the tournament.
The Bryans, who captured their first grand slam title at this year's French Open, sealed the crown without lifting a racquet after another loss by second-ranked Mirnyi and Bhupathi.
"We're happy to be the first brothers team to finish number one," Mike Bryan said. "That was our biggest dream in the world along with playing Davis Cup. We've accomplished both goals this year. We hope to finish here with a title."
Canada's Daniel Nestor and Mark Knowles of Bahamas defeated Bhupathi and Mirnyi 6-4 6-7 (6/8) 7-6 (7/4) in a blue group round-robin match to book a semi-final date with Frenchmen Fabrice Santoro and Michael Llodra today.
The Bryans will face Argentina's Gaston Etlis and Martin Rodriguez in tomorrow's semi-final with the final set for Saturday in the season-ending showdown of the year's eight top doubles teams.


Bureau Report