Nadal and Alcaraz, unstoppable, are in the quarterfinals

The great attraction of the Olympic Roland Garros continues. Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz they won their double match against the Dutch Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof by 6-4, 6-7(2), 10-2, in 2h22′ of play. A popular victory, especially for Nadal, who quickly got over the painful defeat against Novak Djokovic to focus all his energy on the doubles. With this success, the duo ‘Nadalcaraz‘They are in the quarterfinals, where they will face the Americans Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ramseeded number four in the tournament.

The Suzanne-Lenglenthe second most important track in the venue, is too small for its capacity 10,000 spectators. When Rafa playing games, stopping time and nothing else matters. The organization had problems contains with hundreds of fans crowding the access doors looking for a free seat that didn’t exist. needed nadal On the track it’s a better gift regardless of the result you get. Because of the opportunities to see him play on the court where he grew up 14 times The title of Roland Garros They are more distant and strange. And that’s why the quarterfinal match this Wednesday will be played at Philippe Chatrier not before 7:00 pm

The match began with the full dedication of the Spaniards, with a nadal very motivated to stay alive in the only test left in the last Olympic tournament of his life. The Mallorcan showed his infinite courage to win, hugging Alcaraz at the end of each point, maintaining the tension and competitive spirit. The Spaniards played very well from the back of the court and from the rest to win the first round with solvency by 6-4for 54 minutes, with people standing, jumping and screaming in the purest style of Davis cup. Exactly, the festive atmosphere is one of the most positive notes of these Games in all areas, with a full house and a family atmosphere. “Every game I’ve played here has a wonderful atmosphereunbeatable, and with love and support that is hard to imagine,” Nadal said after the match.

[+] Watch the best moments of the match:

The Spaniards played deep from the back of the court to force mistakes from the Dutch, but their experience as doubles players played a key role in winning the tiebreak 6-6 and forcing sudden death. “On a personal level, it seems unnecessary for me to play Games with too many tiebreaks instead of doing a complete set like in a normal singles match,” complained the Spaniard who, during the most decisive phase of the match, did not give his Magpartner a single break.

“I think we played better than the first day as a general rule. We’ve been playing more interpenetrated etc solids all the time. I also consider that we have been better than the rivals, with total humility I say this, what happens is that in the doubles complicating everything very fast,” analyzed the Mallorcan, referring to the difficulties they experienced in the second set. In doubles matches the actions happen very fast and when you play as a couple, everything is experienced in a more intense way. “We are enjoying together because we know this is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Nadal confessed.

This is the fourth participation of nadal at the Olympic Games, since his debut in Athens 2004, where he was paired with Carlos Moya, his current coach, was also present on the court. Nadal has two Olympic golds (singles in Beijing 2008 and doubles in Rio 2916 with Marc López). Yes nadal If he adds another gold, he will become the oldest tennis player to do so in 112 years and the fourth oldest ever, surpassed only by George Hillyard (London 1908), Arthur Gore (London 1908) and Charles Dixon ( Stockholm 1912) . In addition, it is equivalent to the British Reginald Doherty as the tennis player with the most Olympic gold medals in history with three.