PORTLAND, Ore. — For Camarillo's Bob and Mike Bryan, today's Davis Cup doubles match represents the opportunity to fulfill a childhood dream.

"It's everything to be competing for this title," said Bob. "We wanted to to win this since we were 10 years old."

And so, the No. 1 doubles team in the world three years running and winners of 44 career titles, including five Grand Slams, certainly has no trouble putting this match in perspective.

"I'd trade any Grand Slam for this title right here," Bob said. "It's going to be the biggest match of our career."

Following singles victories by Andy Roddick and James Blake on Friday that gave the United States a commanding 2-0 lead against Russia in the best-three-of-five competition, the Bryans will take the court today at Memorial Coliseum looking to give the U.S. its record 32nd Davis Cup crown, but first since 1995 and first on home soil since 1992.

And the Bryans are overwhelming favorites against whichever pair takes the court for Russia — it is likely that a change to the announced team of Nikolay Davydenko and Igor Andreev will be made — due to these staggering numbers: The Bryans sport a 2007 match record of 76-9 with 11 titles, and No. 1 ranking in doubles every week for two years in a row.

And in Davis Cup? Even better.

The twins are 3-0 in the event this year, 12-1 overall (three short of breaking the record for wins by a U.S. tandem), and have won 18 of their last 19 sets. Such a performance has stabilized the U.S. effort in the Davis Cup, the only notable team/country competition in tennis.

The U.S. used 22 doubles tandems in the 11 years prior to the Bryans' arrival in 2003. The twins haven't missed a tie since.

After the Bryans were victorious in their first Davis Cup match in 2003, U.S. captain Patrick McEnroe sensed what was on the horizon.

"I feel a tremendous sense of relief these guys are on the team now," McEnroe said.

As for Davis Cup, a event embraced by some of the game's greats (John McEnroe and current singles stalwart Roddick) and for the most part shrugged off by others (Pete Sampras and Jimmy Connors), it is also the one time on the tennis calendar where doubles is significant, not only in viewing (today is the dedicated day for doubles), but also in impact to the outcome.

In 32 of the last 35 Davis Cup Finals, the team that secured the doubles point went on to win the title.

"Doubles is always in the spotlight in Davis Cup. It's the swing point, really pivotal. That's why we enjoy playing it so much," Bob said.

The Bryans certainly embraced Davis Cup, a loud, in-your-face event where crowds are vocal and emotions exposed. In fact, with their signature celebratory chest bumps and fondness for music, they are a perfect match for the event. On Thursday, a draw ceremony began with an entrance that included loud drums and louder cheers. The atmosphere rivaled a prizefight introduction — something that suited the Bryans just fine.

"They get fired up for Davis Cup," Roddick said. "I think they relish the stage for doubles. They've done a great job of kind of cementing their place in the doubles game in Davis Cup."

A victory today would further cement that place, a journey that began when they took up the sport at age 2 as children of tennis-playing parents.

More than 17 years ago, the Bryans waved flags in Carlsbad, cheering on the home team's sweep of Mexico. Wayne Bryan, the twins' father, said they returned home from the event that day more hooked on tennis than ever.

And so the dream was born. But it is rare to pursue an aspiration for so long, let alone one that began in grade school. And then, when that moment arrives, to have all the tennis balls in the universe aligned is sweet indeed. And that is precisely where the Bryans sit now: two smiling, in-the-moment guys mastering their craft.

"We have so much fun watching them," Blake said. "We're constantly in awe."

The doubles dynamo are a perfect team, too.

Mike is 6-foot-3, right-handed with a strong return game, and more organized. Bob is 6-4, left-handed with a big serve and more artistic.

Mike is two minutes older, but they have been in synch their entire lives. And in doubles, where anticipating a partner's next shot is pivotal, the Bryans have a distinct advantage.

As for fun, the team took part in a late-night poker game earlier in the week as well as a band rehearsal with fellow player Mardy Fish.

And with a cup-clinching match on their rackets, well, is it possible to have too much fun?

"I'm not sure they'll be able to sleep tonight," McEnroe said. "They're pretty pumped up, to put it mildly. But they get pumped up for breakfast."