Sock/Bryan Clinch Second Slam In A Row, Win US Open

Mike Bryan and Jack Sock clinched their second major championship in a row on Friday afternoon, defeating No. 7 seeds Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo 6-3, 6-1 in just 74 minutes to win the US Open, giving Bryan his all-time men’s doubles record 18th Grand Slam crown.

Bryan breaks a tie with John Newcombe for first all-time by triumphing at this level for the 18th time, also breaking a tie with his brother Bob Bryan by earning a record sixth victory in Flushing Meadows. At 40 years, 4 months, he also passed Indian Leander Paes as the oldest Grand Slam champion in men’s doubles during the Open Era. Paes was two months younger when he won here five years ago.

All-Time Grand Slam Men’s Doubles Title Leaders

Bryan and Sock are the first team to win Wimbledon and the US Open in the same year since Jonas Bjorkman and Todd Woodbridge did it in 2003. The last time a doubles team won consecutive major championships was when the Bryan brothers triumphed at four Slams in a row from the 2012 US Open through 2013 Wimbledon.

They will share $700,000 for their efforts during the fortnight, and will add 2,000 ATP Doubles Rankings points to their total. That will propel them to the fourth spot in the ATP Doubles Race To London. Bryan/Bryan occupy the third spot due to their efforts before Bob Bryan got injured in the Mutua Madrid Open final in May. Until this US Open, the brothers competed together here every year since 1995. 

Bryan/Sock dominated on return in the match, consistently forcing the 2017 Nitto ATP Finals runners-up to volley up during their service games as they approached the net with hard, low-flying returns. Sock was especially effective from the baseline with his electric forehand, which he lasered through the middle of the court time after time.

That kept Kubot and Melo from truly establishing themselves at the net and putting their opponents on the back foot. Bryan and Sock broke four times, while they were not broken. The Americans dropped just three first-serve points and played clean tennis, making only eight unforced errors, four of which were double faults. It was the completion of a dominant performance at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, as Bryan/Sock lost just one set in the tournament.

Kubot and Melo arrived in New York having lost five of their past six matches. But the Polish-Brazilian duo put forth a strong effort by reaching their second Slam final as a team. Kubot was trying to become the first Polish man to triumph in doubles here, while Melo was attempting to capture his second major crown. They will split $350,000 in prize money and add 1,200 points.