Bryan Brothers Hold Nerve For Miami SF Spot

Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan remain in the hunt for a fifth Miami Open presented by Itau title following a dramatic 6-7(4), 6-4, 11-9 win over Croatians Marin Cilic and Nikola Mektic in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

The veteran brothers, who face countrymen Nicholas Monroe and Jack Sock in the semi-finals, can return to No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings by lifting the trophy this weekend, otherwise Finland’s Henri Kontinen will claim top position.

Cilic/Mektic looked comfortable on serve to lead 5-2, however the Bryan Brothers managed to force a first-set tie-break. The Croatian duo combined well at the net to edge ahead, before Cilic’s retrieval skills earned a commanding set-and-a-break lead.

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A backhand return winner from Bob Bryan was the catalyst for an immediate break back for 3-3. Then leading at 5-4, Mike Bryan latched onto a difficult smash to secure the break and set on deciding point on Mektic’s serve. The Californian twins used their momentum to move 6/2 in front in the Match Tie-break, and despite Cilic/Mektic erasing that advantage, an ace from Mike Bryan found the line to confirm victory on their second match point.

Earlier on Wednesday Brian Baker and Daniel Nestor booked their semi-final spot with a 6-3, 5-7, 10-3 triumph over Philipp Petzschner and Alexander Peya. The American-Canadian duo will meet sixth seeds Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo, who also clinched victory on a Match Tie-break with a fighting 2-6, 6-3, 10-8 win against fourth seeds Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares.