Electric ‘Nadalcaraz’ overcome Griekspoor and Koolhof to reach Olympics quarter-finals
The Spanish duo beat Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof 6-4, 6-7 (2), 10-2 to reach the quarter-finals of the Paris Olympic Games
Alcaraz and Nadal, Paris Olympics, 2024 Gepa / Panoramic
Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz once again proved to be tennis’ box office draw of the day at the Paris Olympic Games with an electrifying victory over the Dutch duo of Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof.
In front of a raucous, rapturous crowd glowing red with Spanish shirts and flags, the inter-generational duo delighted their legion of fans with a hard-fought 6-4, 6-7 (2), 10-2 victory over the Netherlands’ pairing.
22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal once again led the way, frequently uttering words of direction and advice to his 21-year-old prodigious compatriot. He also provided the energy required in the closing stages of the match as the result hung in the balance following a fine second-set tiebreak win for the Dutch team.
The first set went on serve until the eighth game, when the Spanish pair got the only break of the stanza before serving out for a one-set lead two games later.
The second was a very close contest, with neither side able to find the elusive breakthrough before Griekspoor and Koolhof played a near perfect tiebreak to take the match to the distance.
While Alcaraz made a few uncharacteristic errors in that second-set breaker, the deciding match tiebreak was flawless from both him and Nadal.
It was quite a spectacle to witness the manner in which the Spanish duo simultaneously elevated their level and upped the energy to sprint to the finish line when a nervy ending had looked likely. An unreturned serve ended an enthralling contest as the crowd inside Court Suzanne-Lenglen erupted in jubilation.
They played almost impeccably for the final twelve points as they earned a second win at this summer’s Games to ensure their quest for Olympic glory continues.
doubles victory the perfect remedy for nadal
Victory in the doubles alongside a young player who looks increasingly like Spain’s heir to the Rafa throne is the perfect tonic for Nadal, after being comprehensively outclassed by his career-long rival Novak Djokovic in the singles yesterday.
Perhaps the silver lining from that humbling defeat is a renewed focus on the doubles, where he and Alcaraz are now one of the leading contenders to land a medal for their country.
The Spanish contingent will meet the tricky American pairing of Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram in the quarter-finals, with a place in the semi-finals of the 2024 Olympic Games at stake.
Should they get through that one, then they will receive two attempts to earn a medal – first in the semi-finals itself, where a win would guarantee either silver or gold, and then secondly in the bronze medal match should they lose in the last four.
Much on the line in the next round. But this electric pairing between the best of Spain’s old and young guards has very much lived up to the pre-tournament hype. They have an infectious energy, with a formidable blend of youth, experience and unbridled sporting talent.
It will surely take something very special to stop them now.
