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Monday, Dec 03, 2007
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U.S. ends 12-year drought

— Photo: AFP

VICTORY PARADE: The American players celebrate their Davis Cup win.

PORTLAND (U.S.): Bob and Mike Bryan swept aside Russians Nikolay Davydenko and Igor Andreev in the doubles tie to give the United States an unbeatable 3-0 lead and a record 32nd Davis Cup title.

The Americans, who won the opening singles matches at Memorial Coliseum, had not claimed the team title for 12 years, their last success also coming against Russia on the clay of Moscow in 1995.

The dominant Bryan brothers, winners of five Grand Slam crowns, crushed their opponents 7-6(4), 6-4, 6-2 in just under two hours to secure their 13th doubles triumph in 14 Davis Cup appearances.

“We will remember this for the rest of our lives,” a beaming Mike said in a courtside interview. “It’s difficult to explain how we feel right now. It was a dream for us to win the final match.”

Andy Roddick, who claimed the opening rubber and was unbeaten in six Davis Cup singles matches this year, said: “To be here and bring the Cup back to the States is an amazing feeling.

“But more importantly, just to share the journey with these guys, it’s been so much fun. I feel we really deserved to win.”

U.S. captain Patrick McEnroe was elated with his team’s breakthrough victory after seven unsuccessful years in charge.

“It’s been a long road,” said McEnroe, who captained the team for the first time in February 2001. “I couldn’t be happier for these guys because they’ve been through it all together.

“We’ve had a lot of ups and downs but this feels awesome,” he added. — Agencies

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