Bryans to Face No. 1 Knowles-Nestor in Blockbuster ATP Masters Cup Doubles Semifinals
Posted on November 19, 2004World No. 1s Mark Knowles and Daniel Nestor defeated Czechs Martin Damm and Cyril Suk 6-2, 6-3 on Thursday to cap a perfect 3-0 record in round robin play, setting up a semifinal meeting with the Bryan brothers.
"We had lost a few to them so it's great to get another shot," said Nestor, who with Knowles is 6-7 career against the Bryans. "It's always a bonus to be able to beat another top team."
The defending champion Bryans advanced Thursday with a 7-6(7), 5-7, 6-4 win against Mahesh Bhupathi and Max "The Beast" Mirnyi, snapping a three-match losing streak against the Indian/Belarussian pair.
Also into the semifinals Thursday were Zimbabwe's Wayne Black and Kevin Ullyett, who eliminated Belgians Xavier "X-Man" Malisse and Olivier "The Roach" Rochus 6-4, 6-2.
Today's semifinal match-ups in Houston are Bjorkman/Woodbridge vs. Black/Ullyett, and Knowles/Nestor vs. Bryan/Bryan.
"We've played them in a couple of big matches this year and they're very hot at the moment, so we're really looking forward to it," Mike Bryan said on the prospect of facing the year-end No. 1 team. "You've got the No. 1 and No. 2 teams going at it so it should be a good match."
"We had lost a few to them so it's great to get another shot," said Nestor, who with Knowles is 6-7 career against the Bryans. "It's always a bonus to be able to beat another top team."
The defending champion Bryans advanced Thursday with a 7-6(7), 5-7, 6-4 win against Mahesh Bhupathi and Max "The Beast" Mirnyi, snapping a three-match losing streak against the Indian/Belarussian pair.
Also into the semifinals Thursday were Zimbabwe's Wayne Black and Kevin Ullyett, who eliminated Belgians Xavier "X-Man" Malisse and Olivier "The Roach" Rochus 6-4, 6-2.
Today's semifinal match-ups in Houston are Bjorkman/Woodbridge vs. Black/Ullyett, and Knowles/Nestor vs. Bryan/Bryan.
"We've played them in a couple of big matches this year and they're very hot at the moment, so we're really looking forward to it," Mike Bryan said on the prospect of facing the year-end No. 1 team. "You've got the No. 1 and No. 2 teams going at it so it should be a good match."