Bryan brothers lead U.S into Davis Cup quarter-finals

By Jon Bramley

VIENNA (Reuters) - Holders United States cruised to a winning 3-0 lead over Austria to reach the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup following a short exhibition of ruthless and often scintillating doubles play by the Bryan brothers on Saturday.

The Americans were unhappy about the state of the hastily laid indoor clay court at the Dusika Stadion but the world number one pair Mike and Bob Bryan could have played on a cowfield and still outclassed Juergen Melzer and Julian Knowle.

In the end, their 99 minute 6-1 6-4 6-2 demolition was a fair reflection in the gap in class between the under-powered Austrian pair and a fraternal partnership who have won all four grand slams at least once.

After Friday's opening singles victories, the U.S. were clearly in no mood to linger on a court laid only at the start of the week which Roddick described as "terrible" and James Blake thought was "potentially dangerous".

Brimming with positive intent from the start, the Americans went about their business of systematically dismantling their opponents' relatively weak ground strokes and services.

The first set flashed past in 25 minutes and although they were detained for 10 minutes or so longer in wrapping up the second, the Bryans easily broke the Austrians' opening two service games of the third to set up the inevitable victory.

The win left the Bryans with a record of only one Davis Cup defeat -- and that was three years ago to Croatians Mario Ancic and Ivan Ljubicic -- in 15 doubles rubbers.

It also ensured that Roddick will probably avoid a court he detests and the chance to rest an injured right knee on Sunday while the dead two final singles rubbers are contested.