Americans ‘bounce’ back in Davis Cup doubles

There seems to be something about the Emirates Arena in Glasgow these last few days that stirs the energies of the sportsmen parading their talent there, as yesterday's Davis Cup doubles paid testament to. After the epic match between James Ward and John Isner on day one, the crowd couldn't surely expect the four men in the second day doubles rubber to provide such rich entertainment and tension…could they? The answer was a resounding 'yes' as yet another match went to five sets, but this time the outcome proved to be an American victory for the Bryan brothers over Jamie Murray and Dominic Inglot.

Leon Smith, in his role of British captain, opted for the doubles specialists of Murray senior and Inglot to partner up against the world number one seeds, the Bryans, 'resting' Murray junior for the final day's return singles matches. Maybe he was actually hoping that the tie would not last that long, if the two Brits could spring a (slight) surprise and take the extra point that Britain required to defeat the Americans in just two days.

Smith would probably have been wondering if he had made the right call after two fairly one-sided sets had been claimed imperiously by the twins, Bob and Mike. However, in scenes not dissimilar from Friday evening, Jamie and his partner began to find their form and with it the heavily partisan support found their voices.

Andy, hardly 'resting' up for Sunday's (potential) action, cheered on his brother and Inglot from the side lines, being drawn into the emotion of the match as the Brits clawed their way back. From 2-0 to the Americans it became 2-2 as the match moved into another gripping five-setter, after the fourth set tie-break had narrowly gone Britain's way.

The Glasgow crowd sensed that the momentum was with the Brits and cheered them on as best they could, almost adding an extra player to their side of the net it seemed at times. Yet, the Bryans are not the best doubles pairing there has probably ever been, ranking number one for over 400 weeks. They stayed in the match to push it once more past the usual point where the tie-break would normally come into operation, but this being the fifth set the game went on.

At 7-7 many would have been wondering if the end was in sight, but then the brothers found that elusive break of service to break the hearts of the locals. They duly served out at 8-7 ahead and celebrated with their traditional chest-bump, ensuring that the tie remained alive.The final match score was 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-7 (8-10) 9-7 in a little over three and a half hours of absorbing Tennis.