Twins Bob and Mike Bryan underlined their position as the world's top doubles team by successfully defending their Australian Open title in Melbourne.

The top seeds claimed a 6-3 6-7 (5/7) 6-3 over old rivals Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic on Saturday night to win the trophy for the fourth time in five years.

The Bryans took the first set but their second-seeded opponents edged a tight second on a tie-break, coming from 2-5 down to do so.

It was the American duo who grabbed the initiative in the decider with a decisive break of serve in game four and they pushed on to seal their eighth Grand Slam doubles crown.

The win takes the brothers into second place on the all-time Grand Slam winners' list for doubles - only Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde with 11 have won more.

Talking about that record afterwards, Bob Bryan: said: "(That) is on our mind obviously. But it's a few Sundays away before we get to that point. The Woodies are our idols. To be considered in the same league with those guys is an honour itself.

"I imagine if we stay healthy, we might touch that mark. But if we do we definitely want to honour those guys for all they've done for us."