Post by tall_one on Aug 16, 2005 19:50:02 GMT
Bryans, Bjorkman & Mirnyi Qualify for Shanghai
Sydney, Australia – American twins Bob and Mike Bryan (pictured) and first-year partners Jonas Bjorkman and Max Mirnyi are the first teams to qualify for Tennis Masters Cup Doubles, which will be played concurrently with the singles circuit finale in Shanghai, China, from November 13-20. The teams continue their battle for the year-end No. 1 ranking this week at the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters in Cincinnati, where they are seeded first and second respectively.
The Bryans, who in 2003 claimed year-end World No. 1 honors, will enter their third circuit finale as two-time defending champions, having won back-to-back titles in Houston in 2003 and 2004. The 27-year-old California brothers won their 24th title as a team at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington, D.C., two weeks ago. The Bryans lead the ATP Doubles Race after a remarkably consistent season. The team has reached all three Grand Slam finals this year, but has finished runner-up each time.
Mike Bryan said: "We are thrilled to have qualified for another Tennis Masters Cup, especially at this point of the season. We are focused on finishing the season strong, but excited to be headed to Shanghai and experiencing all the excitement that surrounds the event."
Jonas Bjorkman joined forces with Max Mirnyi at the beginning of the 2005 season after three successful seasons with Todd Woodbridge. Bjorkman/Mirnyi have won three titles this season: the NASDAQ-100 Open in Miami, Masters Series Hamburg and Roland Garros, where Bjorkman completed a career Grand Slam in doubles titles. They have reached the semifinals or better in 11 of the 12 tournaments they have contested this season.
Many other teams in the hunt for Tennis Masters Cup Doubles berths are in action in Cincinnati this week. Australian Open and last week’s Rogers Masters champions, Wayne Black and Kevin Ullyett, are in third place in the ATP Doubles Race, more than 100 points clear of 2004 ATP Doubles Race winners, Mark Knowles and Daniel Nestor.
ATP Doubles Race Standings
(as of August 15, 2005)
Sydney, Australia – American twins Bob and Mike Bryan (pictured) and first-year partners Jonas Bjorkman and Max Mirnyi are the first teams to qualify for Tennis Masters Cup Doubles, which will be played concurrently with the singles circuit finale in Shanghai, China, from November 13-20. The teams continue their battle for the year-end No. 1 ranking this week at the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters in Cincinnati, where they are seeded first and second respectively.
The Bryans, who in 2003 claimed year-end World No. 1 honors, will enter their third circuit finale as two-time defending champions, having won back-to-back titles in Houston in 2003 and 2004. The 27-year-old California brothers won their 24th title as a team at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington, D.C., two weeks ago. The Bryans lead the ATP Doubles Race after a remarkably consistent season. The team has reached all three Grand Slam finals this year, but has finished runner-up each time.
Mike Bryan said: "We are thrilled to have qualified for another Tennis Masters Cup, especially at this point of the season. We are focused on finishing the season strong, but excited to be headed to Shanghai and experiencing all the excitement that surrounds the event."
Jonas Bjorkman joined forces with Max Mirnyi at the beginning of the 2005 season after three successful seasons with Todd Woodbridge. Bjorkman/Mirnyi have won three titles this season: the NASDAQ-100 Open in Miami, Masters Series Hamburg and Roland Garros, where Bjorkman completed a career Grand Slam in doubles titles. They have reached the semifinals or better in 11 of the 12 tournaments they have contested this season.
Many other teams in the hunt for Tennis Masters Cup Doubles berths are in action in Cincinnati this week. Australian Open and last week’s Rogers Masters champions, Wayne Black and Kevin Ullyett, are in third place in the ATP Doubles Race, more than 100 points clear of 2004 ATP Doubles Race winners, Mark Knowles and Daniel Nestor.
ATP Doubles Race Standings
(as of August 15, 2005)
