New York: Leander Paes and his Czech Republic partner Radek Stepanek lost to Bryan brothers - Bob and Mike - in the one-sided men's doubles final at the US Open here on Friday.
The Indian-Czech pair could hardly match the prowess of their American counterparts, who won their 12th Grand Slam doubles title by clinching the final 6-3, 6-4 at the Flushing Meadows.
The American pair converted two break points to win the first set 6-3. And although Paes and Stepanek came hard in the second set, they could not match the play of Bryan Brothers, thus losing the second set 6-4 and match convincingly.
Before Friday's victory, Bob and Mike had won five Australian Open, one French Open, two Wimbledon, and three US Open titles. They were also the gold medallists at the 2012 London Olympics.
Notably Paes-Stepanek and Bryan brothers had also clashed at the Australian Open final earlier this year where the Indo-Czech pair won 7-6, 6-2.
This victory is the 12th Grand Slam triumph for the Bryan brothers who are now tied with Australians John Newcombe and Tony Roche as the most successful doubles combination in the Grand Slams.
Paes and Stepanek didn't manage one break point in the final, where their 22 unforced errors to just six proved decisive.
"These guys always bring magic to the court," said 39-year-old Paes. "But we put it on the line today and we will come back and keep doing it."
Stepanek admitted the Bryans were worthy winners.
"They were all over us on our service and made life difficult. They were the better team," said the Czech.
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