Bryans Capture Sixth Title Of 2009 At China Open

© Getty ImagesBob Bryan hailed one of the twins' best performances in the past couple of years against a strong team in Mark Knowles and Andy Roddick.

Americans Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan captured their sixth tour-level title of the season after easing to a 6-4, 6-2 victory over first-time pairing Mark Knowles and Andy Roddick Sunday in the final of the China Open, an ATP World Tour 500 hard-court tennis tournament in Beijing.

The twins, who have already secured their place at the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in November, received 500 ATP World Tour Ranking points and $122,000, while Knowles and Roddick earned 300 Ranking points and shared $63,000 in prize money.

In a dominant display by the second seeds, the Bryans saved all three break points they faced in the 50-minute match, while converting the three break points they created. They did not drop a set in their four matches this week to win their first title on Asian soil.

Afterwards, Bob Bryan hailed one of the twins’ best performances in the past two years against strong opposition:

“We were ready for a dog fight. When you’ve got one of the best singles players of our era playing with one of the best doubles players of our era it’s going to make for a great match up. Mike and I came out focussed and played one of the best matches we’ve played in a long time. I think we were playing the best tennis we’ve played in the past couple of years. We’re looking forward to Shanghai.”

The Bryans have competed in 10 tour-level finals this season and have a 6-4 record, highlighted by clinching their seventh Grand Slam championship at the Australian Open (d. Bhupathi-Knowles). They have now won 55 tour-level titles from 92 finals together, the fourth-best record in the Open Era (since 1968). Retired Australians Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde lead the way with 61 tour-level titles.

While it was the twins’ first ATP World Tour title in Asia, they did win the bronze medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

“It feels really good to come back to Beijing after great memories from the Olympics last year,” said Mike. “To win our first title in Asia is really special. We’re really happy with the way we’re playing and it was a lot of fun to play Andy and Mark today. We would like to continue our momentum and play great in Shanghai too.”

The 38-year-old Knowles of the Bahamas was attempting to capture his 53rd tour-level title and dropped to a 52-41 record. The World No. 5 has won two ATP World Tour titles this season, lifting the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships trophy in Memphis with Mardy Fish and the Rogers Cup trophy with regular partner Mahesh Bhupathi.

The 27-year-old Roddick made up for a first-round exit in singles action (l. to Kubot) by reaching his seventh ATP World Tour doubles final. The American, who captured the BNP Paribas Open title in Indian Wells with Mardy Fish in March, dropped to a 4-3 mark.