Bryans overcome nerves to seal U.S. Davis Cup triumph

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

PORTLAND, Oregon (Reuters) - The Bryan brothers survived a severe bout of nerves in the build-up to their doubles match on Saturday before earning the United States a first Davis Cup title in 12 years.

Firmly established as the world's number one doubles team, Bob and Mike Bryan crushed Russians Nikolay Davydenko and Igor Andreev 7-6 6-4 6-2 to give the Americans an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the best-of-five match final.

Winners of five grand slam titles together and U.S. team regulars since 2003, the Bryans felt the burden of expectation from the home fans at a near-capacity Memorial Coliseum.

"We're the heavy favorites and we have all the pressure on us," Mike Bryan, 29, told a news conference after he and his brother had sealed victory in one hour and 56 minutes.

"It's been the worst anticipation waiting for this match. The pressure was unbelievable.

"I don't know how we seemed relaxed out there but my stomach was just churning. I didn't sleep that great for probably the last week."

The nerves of the occasion, with the Americans bidding for their first Davis Cup success since 1995, hit brother Bob even harder.

"I just puked my guts out in the shower about 10 minutes ago," he said after being a late arrival for the U.S. team's news conference.