Bryans Win Sixth Houston Title

Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan have returned to the champions’ podium.

The all-time great doubles team won their first title of the year on Saturday night at the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship, beating Victor Estrella Burgos of the Dominican Republic and Santiago Gonzalez of Mexico 4-6, 6-3, 10-8. The Americans broke their opponents in the second set and won a back-and-forth point at 8-all in the match tie-break to serve for the match. A Bob Bryan forehand winner down the line gave them the title, which led to their customary chest bump.

“It was a battle from the first point to the last but we feel like we played our best tennis down the stretch,” Bob Bryan said. “It’s nice to pull out some close wins after losing a few tight matches to start the season. We’re looking forward to building momentum through the clay court season.”

The team has now won Houston six times, making the tournament the third event the Bryans have won at least six times (Australian Open and Los Angeles). The win also ups their overall title tally to 110. Saturday’s win ended a title drought for the duo as well. The team had finished 12 tournaments without a title since winning the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 at Montreal in August 2015. They had gone 13 tournaments between titles before winning their fifth at Acapulco in 2002.

“It feels great to get over the hump and win number 110 after a bit of title drought,” Mike Bryan said. “There’s no better place to do it than in Houston, where we’ve enjoyed so much success and had unbelievable fan support. Thanks to the River Oaks Country Club and its members for another fantastic tournament.”

The Bryans will receive 250 Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings points and split $27,840. Estrella Burgos and Gonzalez were playing in the first ATP World Tour event together. They will receive 150 Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings points and split $14,630.