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Woodbridge equals men's doubles record

July 06, 2003 19:23 IST
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Australian Todd Woodbridge clinched a record-equalling eighth men's doubles title at Wimbledon on Saturday when he and Sweden's Jonas Bjorkman beat Mahesh Bhupathi and Max Mirnyi 3-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3.

Woodbridge, who won six of those titles with former partner Mark Woodforde and one with Bjorkman last year, matched the record set by brothers Hugh and Reggie Doherty between 1897 and 1905.

"It's beyond belief that I could do anything like this," said the 32-year-old, who now has 14 Grand Slam men's doubles titles to his name.

"I need a good partner to do it, but when I started out on my career I never thought I could achieve this."

After losing the first set against Indian Bhupathi and his tall Belarussian partner Mirnyi, the top seeds, Woodbridge and Bjorkman won a pivotal third set tiebreak 7-4 and the fourth seeds went on to retain the title they won last year.

Woodbridge is third on the all-time list of men's doubles titles in the open era with 76, just one behind American John McEnroe and two behind Dutchman Tom Okker.

McEnroe, who won four Wimbledon men's doubles titles with Peter Fleming and one with Michael Stich, has even suggested that if Woodbridge matches his mark of 77, the two should pair up to equal Okker's record.

"He is always joking about it, but knowing how competitive Mac is he is probably serious," Woodbridge said.

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Source: REUTERS
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