The Spanish duo of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the quarter-finals of the men’s doubles event at the Paris Olympics with a hard-fought victParis 2024: Nadal-Alcaraz down Dutch to reach quarter-finalsory over the Netherlands’ Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof. The Spaniards secured the win with scores of 6-4, 6-7(2), 10-2.
From the outset, Nadal and Alcaraz dominated the game, comfortably winning the first set 6-4. However, the Dutch pair fought back in the second set, clinching it 6-7(2) in a tiebreaker. The Spanish team then decisively won the third set 10-2 to confirm their place in the quarter-finals.
In their previous match, Nadal and Alcaraz had triumphed over Argentina’s Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni with scores of 7-6 (7:4), 6-4. With a combined total of 26 Grand Slam singles titles, Nadal and Alcaraz are considered strong contenders in the men’s doubles event.
In their match against Gonzalez and Molteni, the Argentine team took an early 1-0 lead after winning the toss and choosing to receive first. Despite this early setback, the Spaniards quickly regained their composure, breaking back to level the score.
Nadal and Alcaraz played with the synergy of seasoned partners, despite this being one of their first doubles matches together. The Argentine duo fought valiantly, matching the Spaniards point for point and forcing a tiebreaker in the first set. A brilliant down-the-line return from Nadal past Molteni at the net secured the first set for Spain with a 7-4 tiebreak score.
Gonzalez and Molteni began the second set strongly, taking a 3-0 lead. However, Nadal and Alcaraz remained calm, broke back, and quickly found their rhythm. Nadal’s powerful serving and decisive play eventually sealed the second set and the match, propelling the Spanish pair into the quarter-finals.