Alternates Marach/Pavic Win; Bryans Left To Wait

Alternates Oliver Marach and Mate Pavic made the most of their first team appearance at the Nitto ATP Finals on Friday when they defeated four-time former champions Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan in Group Woodbridge/Woodforde.

The Bryans, who finished with a 1-2 record, will qualify for the semi-finals on Saturday so long as defending champions Henri Kontinen and John Peers beat Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares in tonight’s evening session.

Marach and Pavic, who replaced seventh seeds Ivan Dodig and Marcel Granollers for the final day of round-robin play, defeated the four-time former champions and fifth seeds 6-4, 6-4 in 69 minutes.

Marach and Pavic came close to taking a 3-0 lead in the first set, but at 30/40 on Mike Bryan’s serve, Bob Bryan crossed on a return for a backhand volley winner. Mike Bryan lost his serve at 3-3 in the second set.

The Bryans, who first qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals in 2001, are now 38-24 on the season that includes two ATP World Tour titles. Mike Bryan is tied with Canada’s Daniel Nestor on 1,056 for all-time career doubles match wins in the Open Era.

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