US Open 2013: Paes-Stepanek reach finals as the Bryan brothers are finally defeated

At the beginning of 2012, Radek Stepanek and Leander Paes had just combined to form a new doubles team. The fledgling duo sprang a mighty surprise when they defeated the Bryan brothers in the finals of the Australian Open to make a spectacular beginning. Over 20 months later, the fourth seeded pair drew on those inspirational memories to come from behind for another sensational victory over Mike and Bob Bryan and reach the finals of the US Open with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in an hour and 45 minutes.

The Bryans were two matches away from the Grand Slam, but came up against a duo that has consistently troubled them since they came together last year. The fourth seeded pair’s hard earned victory also avenged their painful 3-6, 4-6 loss to the Bryans last year in the finals of the US Open.

The first set was an even battle only through the first four games. Mike pierced a volley into the space between Paes and Stepanek   to clinch a break point in the sixth game. Stepanek threw in a double fault on the next point to gift the break to their formidable opponents.

Meanwhile, Paes and Stepanek hadn’t won a point on the Bryan serve. Finally, they won one off Mike in the seventh game, but he held comfortably to take a commanding 5-2 lead. Serving to stay in the set, Paes survived a few edgy moments to hold serve for 3-5.

But that was all the fourth seeded combination could do as Bob polished off the set on his serve, with an ace, to clinch the lead after 29 minutes of uninspiring action from their opponents.

In a sudden twist, though, the fourth seeded Paes-Stepanek worked their way back early in the second set. Paes struck a backhand slice down the line winner to break Bob’s serve and gain a 2-0 lead.

But the advantage was squandered almost immediately. Paes sent a forehand cross court volley long to surrender a break point in the third game. Another untimely double fault cost the Indo-Czech combination the opportunity they created at the start of the second set. Mike then held serve at 15 to get things back on level terms at 2-2.

Stepanek was having an up and down afternoon and when he fell to 0-30 on his serve in the fifth game, the Bryans sensed an opportunity to take control of the match. But Stepanek rallied his team out of the hole with some power tennis. At 40-30, he pulled off a couple of brilliant backhand volleys under pressure to ensure that the set remained on serve.

Paes and Stepanek then earned their second break of the set when the Indian moved across to cut off the ball with a backhand volley low to the feet of Mike. The American could only lift it into the net to allow the fourth seeded combination take a 4-2 lead.

Paes fell into trouble on his next service game, and the Bryans forced the game to deuce. The Indian squandered a game point when he threw in a double fault two points later. But somehow, Paes and Stepanek called on all their experience and anticipation to win the next two points and stay ahead at 5-2. The Bryans held serve in the next game and it was left to Stepanek to try and force the third set by holding serve.

At 40-15, Stepanek stepped in behind his serve to volley low to Mike and clinch the set. After a lacklustre first set, the Indo-Czech duo put on a far more improved performance in the second to turn things around.