INSIDE LOOK: BRYANS HAVE ONE MAJOR GOAL CAMARILLO TWINS' DOUBLES RESUME HAS SOME HOLES.

Byline: Aaron Levine Staff Writer

It has become an annual tradition for tennis twins Bob and Mike Bryan of Camarillo: The Mercedes-Benz Cup at UCLA is simply a homecoming with a burden.

Two years ago, it was the pressure of bursting into the inner circle of professional tennis. Last year, it was the yearning to instill fear into the eyes of their competitors. Both were accomplished.

This year, though, they're facing the toughest challenge of all and it goes far beyond the fences of the Los Angeles Tennis Center.

``We need to win a Grand Slam. It'll be the next monkey off our back,'' Mike Bryan said. ``Were not trying to prove anything anymore. We're now trying to take the next step and be one of the top-echelon teams.''

Obviously, the Bryans, who are ranked fourth in the world, won't be able to accomplish that feat this week. But a second consecutive doubles title in Los Angeles in front of their home fans certainly would act as a springboard for the rest of the hardcourt season, which concludes with the U.S. Open in September.

The Bryans have been close to winning the elusive Grand Slam title this season. They reached the semifinals at Wimbledon for the second year in a row and improved their showings at the Australian Open and the French Open by advancing to the quarterfinals. Furthermore, with four ATP doubles titles, they already have matched the ATP record of four doubles victories in a season, which they set last year.

``We've definitely proven that we can beat all the good teams. But by winning a (Grand Slam), that would establish us as one of the best teams,'' Bob Bryan said.

But with a win in Flushing Meadows or at any other Slam, there is no question more doors will open for the 1998 NCAA doubles champions from Stanford.

Most important, there is the possibility of finally being selected for the U.S. Davis Cup team, an honor that has eluded the Bryans, despite their solid performances the past two years.

``Last year, it was frustrating because Davis Cup was our main goal,'' Mike said. ``This year, we've won this many titles, and we've reached the semis of Wimbledon again and none of that has gotten us chosen. So we've got to go higher up on the bar.''

The main dilemma U.S. Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe faces is he can only submit four players, with the two doubles players being alternates for singles play. Since the Bryans haven't established themselves in singles (Bob is ranked 187th in the world and Mike is 180th), McEnroe is favoring pairing top singles players, such as Andy Roddick and James Blake, to play doubles.

The Bryans have played in only five matches combined in singles play this year. So, even if they win a Grand Slam event, McEnroe might be hard pressed to give them the nod.

``It's really all up to one guy's decision. But I think the next doubles team they're going to use will be us,'' Mike said.

The Bryans, who are scheduled to play tonight on Stadium Court against Mark Merklein and Glenn Weiner in a second-round match, are also the only team in the top four to have not won a Masters series title.

Therefore, if they plan on becoming the best pair since Australians Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde, who won 61 titles in nine years, they have much more work to do.

``It'd be pretty incredible if we reached their level and achieved what they achieved,'' Bob Bryan said. ``But we have to win that slam first.''

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Bob Bryan, shown at the U.S. Open, and brother Mike hanker to represent the U.S. in Davis Cup doubles, but they need to improve their singles play to better their chances.

Elise Amendola/Associated Press