By Chris Oddo | Friday September 7, 2018
Mike Bryan and Jack Sock captured their second consecutive major doubles title with a straight-sets takedown of Marcelo Melo and Lukasz Kubot.
Photo Source: Al Bello/Getty
New—and temporary—partner, same doubles brilliance from Mike Bryan. The 40-year-old and World No.1 has taken Jack Sock under his wing since his brother Bob has undergone hip surgery, and the American duo has now become the first men’s doubles team to claim back-to-back majors since the Bryan Brothers achieved the feat in 2012.
Sock and Bryan took down 2017 Wimbledon champions Marcelo Melo and Lukasz Kubot on Friday, 6-3, 6-1, to claim the the U.S. Open doubles title. The victory marks a massive milestone for Mike Bryan, who passes John Newcombe and becomes the leader in all-time men’s doubles major titles with 18. Bryan also breaks a tie with his brother Bob for the most U.S. Open Open Era men’s doubles titles with six.
“You just play as hard as you can for as long as you can,” Bryan said. “If it adds up to some records, then it's very cool. But I just do it because I love it, and these are very special moments, holding these trophies. You never know if you're going to get them, so you really savor them.”
Bryan hopes to have his brother back by his side by the time next season's Australian Open rolls around, and he even joked that it might be Jack Sock and Bob Bryan next season if something should happen to him.
Bryan has been quick to thank his brother all week, mentioning him and shouting out to him in every post-match interview.
After the final he thanked his parents as well.
“It's a massive team effort,” he said. “I didn't thank my parents out there, but they have been huge since day one. They really made me love the game. I get up every day, and I'm excited to go out there and try to find ways to get better and it's because of them.”
The American duo faced only one break point in the match, in the third game of the first set, and sailed to victory behind a barrage of winners, 36 in total to just 18 for Melo and Kubot. Sock and Bryan broke four times on 10 break point opportunities.
Sock, with his powerful forehand that features wicked topspin, has forced Bryan to alter his style since the two have paired. He’s more than happy to make any alterations as long as it leads to trophies.
“I think this was the best match we have played together, and we picked a good time to do it,” he said. “You know, Jack hit some monstrous forehands. I think our average speed on shots was 84, and I'm hitting the ball in the 60s. Who's the guy that's bringing that up? It's Jack. He had one at 111.”