PARIS — Top-seeded Bob and Mike Bryan of the United States will bid for a record 14th major doubles title together after beating Alexander Peya of Austria and Bruno Soares of Brazil 6-1, 6-4 in the semifinals of the French Open on Thursday.
On Saturday, the American twins will face Michael Llodra and Nicolas Mahut of France, who defeated Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay and Horacio Zeballos of Argentina 7-6 (4), 6-2.
“We’ve never played a French team in the (French Open) final,” Bob said. “I’m sure it’s going to be a very enthusiastic support for the French. Probably feel a little bit like a Davis Cup match. We’ve been in those situations before. We kind of strive in those types of atmospheres.”
The Bryan brothers broke for a 4-3 lead in the second set and clinched victory when Soares hit a service return wide.
The Bryans won their only French Open title together in 2003. By clinching a 13th major title at the Australian Open this year, they broke a tie with Australian greats John Newcombe and Tony Roche.
“It is cool to look at it and have the record, and we do say: ‘Just go out there on the court and play like we have nothing really to prove or play like we have nothing to lose’ because we’ve done a lot in the sport,” Bob said.