Australian Open 2012: Bryan Brothers Have Sights Set on History

The men's doubles final is set at the Australian Open with unseeded pairing Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek facing off against the three-time defending champions Bob and Mike Bryan.

The Bryan brothers are actually going for their sixth title in Melbourne and if they do pull it off then the record of Grand Slam titles won by one team is theirs.

With their track record at the majors, they have to be considered huge favorites. Aside from the five Aussie titles, the twins from California have one French Open win, two Wimbledons and three U.S. Opens. They've also finished runner-up at the big-four tournaments a further eight times.

In other words, Paes and Stepanek have their work cut out for them in the finals.

The Indo-Czech pairing has the game to put up a fight against, and perhaps even topple, the Bryans. They've stormed through the draw, upsetting four seeded teams on the way to their first Grand Slam final together.

But if anything, the Bryans can rely on their experience at the majors. Plus, already owning the record of most team titles won among men is another feather in their cap. Big hitting and off-the-chart chemistry don't hurt either.

Nearly a lifetime of playing together—winning big titles in the juniors, in college and on the ATP World Tour—finds the Bryans poised to eclipse their idols Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge, a.k.a. "the Woodies," as the most prolific Grand Slam-winning team. Paes, by no means a slouch when it comes to winning majors, and Stepanek are eager to slow down that march toward history.

Bob and Mike Bryan are well-prepared to ensure that doesn't happen.