Photo: Rita May
Bob (front) and Mike Bryan

Bryans Chase 9th Title

Top seeds and Stanford ATP Doubles Race leaders Bob and Mike Bryan charged into the Cincinnati semifinals after defeating Simon Aspelin and Julian Knowle 7-6(2), 6-4 on Friday. In a tight first set both teams saved two break points but the Bryans exploded out of the blocks in the tie-break.

The Bryans claimed the only break of the match at 3-3 in the second set when Knowle threw in back-to-back double faults at 30/30. It was the only break point either team faced in the second set.

The Bryans are chasing their second Cincinnati title (2003) and their ninth title of the season. Last week the Bryans fell in the Montreal semifinals, snapping their streak of having reached four consecutive finals and having reached finals in nine of their past 10 events.

The twin brothers next meet old foes Martin Damm and Leander Paes, who advanced to the semifinals courtesy of a mid-match retirement from Kevin Ullyett (back) and Paul Hanley. Damm and Paes are 2-3 in finals this season, winning in Rotterdam and ATP Masters Series Indian Wells. They were also finalists in Miami.

No. 6 seeds Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram enjoyed a convincing 6-2, 6-2 win over Serbian duo Novak Djokovic and Nenad Zimonjic, who one day earlier upset second seeds Jonas Bjorkman and Max Miryni. The Israeli duo has reached three finals this year, including the Pacific Life Open, but is yet to win a title in 2007.

Erlich and Ram next meet Czech duo Lukas Dlouhy and Pavel Vizner, who dropped serve just once in a 6-4, 7-5 upset win over third seeds and three-time Cincinnati champions Mark Knowles and Daniel Nestor.

Bjorkman and Mirnyi, who last year finished a close second to the Bryans in the Stanford ATP Doubles Race after winning Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai, have not won a title this season.