Bryans foil Woodbridge record bid
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Woodbridge is returning to Australia for the Davis Cup
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HOUSTON, U.S. (Reuters) -- Todd Woodbridge's bid for a record doubles title must wait, after the Australian and partner Jonas Bjorkman were eliminated from the ATP Masters Cup with a 4-6 6-3 7-6 loss to Bob and Mike Bryan.
Leading 5-1 in the third set tiebreak, Woodbridge, who equaled Dutchman Tom Okker's record of 78 titles two weeks ago at the Stockholm Open, had looked poised to continue his march.
But the Bryans, who captured their first grand slam title earlier this year at the French Open, saved two match points before clinching the tiebreak 11-9.
With the victory the top-ranked American twins move onto the semi-finals and remain on course to become the first brothers to capture the year-end number one spot.
"In the tiebreak we sort of gave it away, twice we had our opportunity and played tentatively," said Woodbridge, who will open next season with events in Doha and Sydney, giving him a chance to break the record on home soil.
"It's disappointing but the record is going to come when it comes .
"What's positive is, I played three tough, good matches here and I'm ready to go back to Australia for the Davis Cup."
Woodbridge made his debut on the ATP tour in 1988 and won his first doubles title in 1990 in Casablanca with compatriot Simon Youl.
Two years later he won his maiden grand slam title on home soil at the Australian Open with Mark Woodforde, with whom he struck up a phenomenal partnership that lasted until the end of 2000, when Woodforde retired.
The Australian pair won 11 grand slams together, the last at the French Open in 2000.
Woodbridge has since won another four slams with Bjorkman, including Wimbledon and the U.S Open this year.
Of Woodbridge's 15 slams, eight have come at Wimbledon.
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