Bryans capture tennis men's doubles gold

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Americans Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan won the men's doubles gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics tennis event on Saturday.

The top seeds defeated second-seeded Frenchmen Michael Llodra and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-4, 7-6(2) in 88 minutes on Center Court at the All-England Club, Wimbledon.

France's Julien Benneteau and Richard Gasquet won the bronze medal earlier in the day.

"This is the biggest win of our career right here," said Bob Bryan. "It's unbelievable."

Mike Bryan said: "To play on Center Court at Wimbledon and win the gold medal is a dream come true. We could stop tomorrow and we got a big smile on our face for the rest of our lives."

He dedicated the victory to his parents, Wayne and Kathy. "This one is dedicated to you guys. We love you. Mum, thanks for all the hard lessons every day for two hours. Dad, you ran the best clinics."

The Bryans capitalized on a slow start by their French opponents to break Tsonga to 30 in the first game, after they forced them into several volley errors.

At 4-3, Mike Bryan came under tremendous pressure on serve. But the right-hander fought back and saved five break points in total. Bob Bryan withstood a stern examination of his volleying skills at the net.

Bob Bryan went onto clinch the 39-minute first set with a hold to 30. Llodra and Tsonga had hit 18 winners to 10 winners for the Bryans, but the French pair was left to rue missing out on six break point opportunities.

The quality of the match improved in the second set with each player hitting a high percentage of first serves, pouncing on the slightest of short balls and not giving any chances away at the net.

In the tie-break, the Bryans took a 4-1 lead after they won both of Tsonga's service points. Their greater experience and clinical volleying had helped them capture the gold medal after Llodra netted a forehand volley to end the 88-minute encounter.

At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Bryans won the doubles bronze medal.

The twins join Australians Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde as the only pairs to win multiple medals in the men's doubles event since tennis returned to the Olympic Games in 1988.

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