Bryans Clinch 10th Grand Slam Title

© Getty ImagesThe Bryans won their fifth Australian Open title.

World No. 1 duo Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan won their 10th Grand Slam championship together Saturday as they denied Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes a career Grand Slam with a 6-3, 6-4 victory in the Australian Open final.

"It never gets old," said Bob Bryan. "Especially to play those two guys, the 'Indian Express', who we have tons of respect for. We were jacked up for this match. These two guys are legends. It was an extra special feeling out there on the court playing two guys that have dominated the game 10 years ago."

Victory in Melbourne marked the fifth Australian Open triumph for the Bryans, who also won back-to-back trophies in 2006-2007 and 2009-2010; they were contesting their sixth Australian Open final in seven years after finishing runners-up in 2004-2005.

With 10 major titles, the 32-year-old Bryans moved to within just one trophy of matching Open Era leaders Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde. Their 18 appearances in Grand Slam finals is the most by any team in the Open Era.

"It's nice to hit double digits. That number, [the Woodies'] 11 Grand Slams. That's motivating us," declared Mike.

The Americans, who won 11 tour-level titles in 2010, took their career tally to 68. They broke the Open Era record, previously held by Woodbridge and Woodforde, when they won their 62nd title in Los Angeles last August.

The Bryans clinched their team career Grand Slam at 2006 Wimbledon, and denied Bhupathi and Paes the chance to complete the feat as individuals with victory in just 68 minutes. While Paes was explosive early in the encounter, strong serving from the Bryans neutralised Bhupathi.

After Bob Bryan rallied from 0/40 to hold serve in the first game, the top seeds broke in the sixth game to clinch the first set. They then made a crucial breakthrough at 4-4 in the second set and in serving out victory, saved a break point when Bob Bryan aced Bhupathi for the sixth time in the match.

"That first game was huge," reflected Mike. "We were down 0/40. That set the tone of the match. If we got broken there, could have been a different story. Bob especially served well. He served Mahesh really tough, and Mahesh is a great returner. He kind of just took him out of the match. It always starts with serving for us. If we serve well, that's our game."

Both Bhupathi and Paes have won three of the four majors, but now have come short of winning the Australian Open title three times. They were runners-up together in 1999, while Paes also reached the final in 2006 with Martin Damm and Bhupathi in 2009 with Mark Knowles.

“The Indian Express” reunited at the start of the 2011 ATP World Tour season to great success, clinching their fifth Aircel Chennai Open title as they embarked on an unbeaten run through to the Australian Open final. The duo, who have won three Grand Slam titles together, were contesting their first major together in nine years.

"We had a great couple of weeks," reflected Paes. "We had a tough draw. Pretty much played all the best teams in the world getting to the final. Today we lost to the best team on the planet who played lights out today. I thought they played the perfect match.  As far as Mahesh and myself are concerned, a great two weeks."

Added Bhupathi: "If they can serve 83 per cent and make returns like they did on big points, it's very tough to beat them. That's why they've won 10 Grand Slams, they've won here three years in a row. It's very hard for them to play like this every day. Give them credit today."