Cabal/Farah Save Four MP, Defeat Bryan Brothers In Rome

Defending Internazionali BNL d'Italia champions Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah were on the verge of a disappointing defeat Friday against four-time titlists Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan. But the Colombians rallied from a 2/7 deficit in a Match Tie-break, saving four match points to defeat the American twins 7-6(2), 4-6, 16-14, advancing to the semi-finals.

"It was a crazy match. You can't expect less playing the Bryans. You know it's going to be a tough match from the beginning until the end. I think this is one of the most epic matches we have played, and we have played a lot of them," Cabal said. "I'm really happy to keep fighting... the fans really enjoyed because it was a crazy match with crazy points."

The Bryan brothers, who in Miami claimed their first ATP Masters 1000 trophy since Bob underwent hip surgery last August, appeared to have the momentum when they led 7/2 in the Match Tie-break with two serves to come. But the Colombians kept their heads up and battled until the end of the one-hour, 44-minute match.

"The Match Tie-break was the highlight of the match. I think we both increased our level to make it a very exciting match at one point. I feel like in the first set we were both not making many returns, holding quite easily," Farah said, adding they gained confidence heading into the Match Tie-break from earning one break back in the second set. "It is kind of a coin toss."

Cabal and Farah will next face top seeds Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo, who beat eighth seeds Henri Kontinen and John Peers 6-2, 6-7(1), 10-6 in one hour and 33 minutes. Kubot and Melo are pursuing their first title of the season. 

In the other semi-final, fifth seeds Oliver Marach/Mate Pavic will play sixth seeds Raven Klaasen and Michael Venus. Marach and Pavic won two matches on Friday, defeating Brits Kyle Edmund and Neal Skupski 7-6(4), 6-0 after ousting Canadian Denis Shapovalov and Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 7-6(4), in the second round.

Klaasen and Venus battled past Argentines Maximo Gonzalez and Horacio Zeballos 7-6(4), 5-7, 10-7.