LONDON: American duo Bob and Mike Bryan’s incredible year ended in disapppointment when they were beaten by Spain’s Fernando Verdasco and David Marrero in the ATP Tour Finals doubles final yesterday.
Verdasco and Marrero, the sixth seeds, upset the favourites 7-5, 6-7(3), 10-7 as the title went to a Spanish pair for the second successive year following the triumph of Marcel Granollers and Mark Lopez 12 months ago.
The Californian Bryan twins were looking to win their 12th title of 2013 and surpass the 11 they won in 2007 and 2010 but the world’s top-ranked pair were edged out in a match tiebreak.
They did at least end the year at No. 1 for a ninth time in 11 seasons having won the first three majors of 2013 before their “calendar” Grand Slam hopes ended at the US Open where they lost in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Spanish tennis player Nuria Llagostera Vives has been banned for two years under anti-doping rules, the International Tennis Federation announced yesterday.
The 33-year-old tested positive for d-methamphetamine at the Bank of the West Classic in Stanford earlier this year.
“An independent hearing was held, in which Ms Llagostera Vives was not able to demonstrate how the d-amphetamine entered her system,” an ITF statement said.
“She was, therefore, unable to satisfy the preconditions for mitigation.
“Ms Llagostera Vives’s commission of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation was, therefore, confirmed and it was determined that she is suspended from participation for a period of two years, commencing from 8 September 2013, the date on which she was provisionally suspended.”
Llagostera Vives reached a career-high singles ranking of 35 in 2005 but has played only doubles during the past two years.
Janina Kean, president/CEO of High Watch Recovery Center which tries to help people recover from substance abuse, said there were good reasons why tennis players might use
‘meth’. AGENCIES
