lifiers Huss/Moodie Win Doubles
Saturday, July 2, 2005
Stephen Huss and Wesley Moodie defeated Bob and Mike Bryan today to become the first qualifiers to ever win the men's doubles title.
Huss and Moodie defeated the Bryan brothers 7-6 (7-4), 6-3, 6-7 (2-7), 6-3 on No.1 Court in what can only be described as a 'fairytale' match for the men who, just two weeks ago, were competing in the qualifying event at Roehampton.
From the moment the Australian/South African duo stepped on court it was clear they were there to have fun, constantly laughing and savouring every moment.
After all, the qualifiers hadn't expected to be here and the pressure was certainly not on them. Their opponents, No.2 seeds Bob and Mike Bryan, entered the match having lost their last four Grand Slam finals since winning their first title at Roland Garros in 2003.
The match remained a close affair until the first set tie-break when the underdogs raced to a 5-1 lead. But then the immaculately dressed American brothers - with matching shorts, shirts, shoes and rackets - began producing winners fighting back to 5-4. The question was whether Moodie's serve would hold under the pressure. It did, with the South African firing down 123mph and 126 mph serves to secure the first set.
The win was enough to boost their confidence and soon Huss was blasting baseline winners and Moodie was volleying ferociously at the net. The flowing form they had displayed in the previous matches began to take effect and, at times, it seemed almost unreal as both men happily shook their heads in disbelief at the type of winners each was producing.
Much patting on the back and hand slaps followed and 69 minutes after the start of the match they had swiped the second set. But then things started to go wrong. At 5-5 in the third, the pair held four break points on Mike Bryan's serve, which they failed to convert. The brothers defended superbly and sharp net play helped them take the set on a tie-break.
However, the lost opportunity served as a wake-up call. The qualifiers secured an early break to go 3-0 up and didn't look back. Working together like clockwork they secured the set and the match to become Grand Slam winners for the first time in their careers.
Written by Helen Gilbert
