Mike Bryan believes runners-up Rohan Bopanna and Aisam Qureshi are certain to play many more finals

Mike Bryan believes Bopanna and Qureshi will go far

Mike Bryan believes runners-up Rohan Bopanna and Aisam Qureshi are certain to play many more finals

Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Rohan Bopanna (facing) during their 6-7, 6-7 loss to Bob and Mike Bryan in the US Open doubles final yesterday. PIC/AFP

But the duo, which went down fighting, received praise and words of consolation from none other than Mike.

"This has been a dream. Right now this is the pinnacle," Mike Bryan said, adding in a nod to Qureshi and Bopanna that "they are great guys. They are going to be playing in these for a long time to come."

With United Nations ambassadors Hardeep Singh Puri of India and Abdullah Hussain Haroon of Pakistan sitting together cheering on the "Indo-Pak Express", Qureshi and Bopanna were beaten by the top-ranked duo 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/4).

"This has been the best match we ever played," Bob said. "These guys played incredible. We had to step up and match their energy."

Qureshi drew a standing ovation at Arthur Ashe Stadium after the match when he moved to bridge the religion and culture gap between Americans and Pakistanis.

"I feel there's a very wrong perception of Pakistan as a terrorist country," Qureshi said. "We're a peace-loving country and we want peace as much as you all." Bopanna and Qureshi had bested the Bryans for the first time last month at Washington in their most recent prior meeting, the only loss the Bryans have suffered in 20 matches since Wimbledon.

Bob Bryan became the first man in 28 years to win men's and mixed doubles crowns in the same US Open after teaming with compatriot Liezel Huber to claim the mixed title on Thursday over Qureshi and Czech Kveta Peschke.

Bopanna, whose parents came from India to see him in the final, was pleased at the achievement of reaching the final.

"It has been a great run for us," Bopanna said. "I'm really thankful Aisam is here playing with me."

Qureshi and Bopanna, who won their first ATP doubles crown last February at Johannesburg, forced Mike Bryan to save a break point in the third game of the first set, which went to a tie-breaker.

Bopanna blasted an ace to equalise at 5-5 but sent a forehand wide to give the Bryans a set point and was wide with a forehand service return to surrender the opening set, the first he and Qureshi dropped in the tournament.

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