FLUSHING MEADOWS, New York, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Bob and Mike Bryan won the U.S. Open men's doubles title for the leading fourth time Friday, also for a record 12th Grand Slam championship.

The American twins had been tied with Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde for the most major titles in the Open era, which started in 1968.

The second-seeded Bryans beat Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek 6-3, 6-4. That team had defeated them in this year's Australian Open final as they chased the record.

The brothers had been stuck on 11 since 2011 Wimbledon. The last year they failed to win at least one major title was 2004.

The Bryans also tied the Open-era record with their fourth U.S. Open championship, matching Bob Lutz and Stan Smith.

The 34-year-olds, who grew up in Southern California, have been the world's best doubles players for more than five years, having won more than 75 tour titles.

"That's thrilling that you consider us the best twins in sports history," said Mike Bryan, who is older by two minutes. "We just think of ourselves as brothers. But it's pretty humbling when you think we're one of the greatest."

"We're tight. We have that special (bond) that no one can break," Bob Bryan said. "Even our significant others get jealous of how close we are. When I got married, Mike and I had to get divorced."