Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz kick off gold medal quest at Paris Olympics

07/27/2024 02:25 PM

Competing alongside each other for the first time, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz made a winning start at the Paris Olympics! The Spanish duo enjoyed the crowd's support on Court Philippe-Chatrier and took down the 6th seeds Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni 7-6, 6-4 in an hour and 46 minutes, moving into the second round. They traded early breaks in the opening set, and Nadal and Alcaraz claimed it in the tie break for a boost. The Argentines responded in the initial stage of the second set, forging a 3-0 advantage before dropping six of the next seven games. Rafa and Carlos shifted into a higher gear and grabbed breaks in games five and nine, sealing the deal in straight sets and preserving energy. World no. 2 Alcaraz enjoyed a memorable day on Court Philippe-Chatrier, scoring his first singles win at the Olympic Games earlier and securing another triumph with one of the greatest players of all time.

Nadal and Alcaraz got broken at the beginning of each set. They managed to bounce back and seal the deal with three return games on their tally, playing better in the decisive moments and sending the 6th seeds packing. Gonzalez landed a forehand return winner in the first game of the match, stealing Alcaraz's serve and sending his team in front. Maximo hit a double fault in the second game, losing serve and bringing the Spaniards back to the positive side. Carlos played another loose service game at 2-2. Still, he and Rafa denied two break points and held, remaining on the positive side. They served well in the remaining games, with Gonzalez landing a volley winner in game 12 to introduce a tie break. There were no mini-breaks in the opening six points before the Spaniards grabbed a mini-break after a lucky net cord for 4-3.

Nadal forced Molteni's mistake with a smash in the ninth point, earning three set points for Spain. The red squad converted the second at 6-4 after Rafa's return winner, gathering a massive boost and moving closer to the finish line. The Argentines produced two comfortable holds early in the second set and broke their rivals in game two after drawing Nadal's mistake. Carlos held at love in game four, and they pulled the break back a few minutes later after Molteni's terrible smash. The Spaniards held at love in the sixth game with Alcaraz's winner at the net and earned more break points in the next one, pushing their rivals to the limits.

Gonzalez and Molteni survived three break points and produced a vital hold that kept them alive. Nadal and Alcaraz held at love for the third straight time in game eight, keeping the pressure on the other side. Molteni served in game nine and squandered a game point. Rafa won a point for Spain and created  a break chance, and Carlos seized it with a backhand crosscourt return winner. Nadal served for Spain's win at 5-4 and landed a smash winner for two match points. Alcaraz converted the second with a volley winner at the net, with two great champions starting a massive celebration.