Nestor & Zimonjic Clinch Stanford ATP Doubles Race

Shanghai, China – Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic clinched the Stanford ATP Doubles Race and the year-end No. 1 team ranking after defeating Bob and Mike Bryan 7-6(3), 6-2 in the final of Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai on Sunday. The Canadian-Serbian duo snapped the American Bryan brothers’ three-year hold on the top team honor after joining forces permanently as a pairing at the beginning of 2008.

"It's a great feeling," said Nestor – who, with former long-time partner Mark Knowles, had won Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai last year and also finished as the No. 1 team in 2002 and ‘04. "We have had a great year. At times a little inconsistent. But when we've played well, we've been very tough to beat. We really get on a roll. I think when we're playing well, we're deserving of the No. 1 ranking."

Added Zimonjic: "To win the Masters Cup for me for the first time, for Danny to defend the title, to play against the Bryans, who have been dominating doubles the last four, five years, and to fight for No. 1 spot. You couldn't ask for more as an athlete, to manage to win this."

Report: Nestor & Zimonjic Capture Tennis Masters Cup Title

The Bryans had been looking to win the Stanford ATP Doubles Race for a record fourth consecutive year (fifth overall) after compiling a 64-18 match record on the season, which saw them win their sixth Grand Slam title at the US Open in addition to claiming four further ATP titles.

"It's pretty unusual that the No. 1 ranking comes down to one match, that's probably one in a million," said Bob Bryan. "With all the points out there, having it hinge on a few points at the end of the season is pretty amazing. But they had some good results. We all won big tournaments. I think they deserve it. They won the season-ending championships. I guess we’ve got to tip our hat to them. They played a great tournament and had a great year. We look forward to battling it out next year for the same thing."

DEUCE: 'Prince' and 'Pride' Are Living Large

The 32-year-old Zimonjic also finished the season as the individual No. 1 in the Stanford ATP Doubles Rankings for the first time in his career. The 36-year-old Nestor finished at No. 2, having played two tournaments more than his partner.

Nestor and Zimonjic’s season was highlighted by a six-tournament span when they reached the Rome final, won Hamburg, finished runners-up at Roland Garros, won Queen's, won Wimbledon (d. Bjorkman-Ullyett), which completed a career golden Slam for Nestor, and won Toronto. Having gone through Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai undefeated, they closed the season on a 47-17 match record.

"This is the best season I've ever had," said Zimonjic. "Winning Wimbledon, playing finals at the French, and coming here as second seed, fighting for the first spot. It was that much more special to play for pretty much everything at this last match."

ATP Tournament Profile: Shanghai