Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz Dumped Out by American Doubles Specialists
In a stunning turn of events at the Paris Olympics, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz were ousted from the men's doubles competition by a pair of American doubles specialists, Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek. The match, played under the roof on Court Philippe Chatrier, saw the Spanish duo facing a formidable challenge from the experienced Americans.
Nadal, who has a record 14 French Open singles titles to his name, and his partner Alcaraz, had already navigated through two rounds but found themselves up against a different level of opponent in Ram and Krajicek. The Americans, backed by the legendary Bryan brothers in their player box, delivered a note-perfect performance that left many wondering if even Bob and Mike Bryan could have done better.
The match began with the Americans breaking at the earliest opportunity, targeting Alcaraz at the net as Nadal served. They were relentless in their returning and their service games were so slick that they didn't give up a single break. The closest the Spanish duo came to breaking serve was in the final game, where the crowd was in full support, creating a ruckus that made it difficult for Krajicek to serve.
Despite the hostile atmosphere, the Americans held their nerve, with Krajicek pulling out the grittiest of service holds to seal the 6-2, 6-4 win and claim a place in the semi-finals. The last shot, a perfect "can-opener" serve by Krajicek that hit the line and resulted in a clean ace, was met with almost complete silence, signaling the end of a potential farewell for Nadal at Roland Garros.
Nadal, who suffered a chastening 6-1, 6-4 loss to old foe Novak Djokovic in the second round of the singles event, has not offered any clarity on his retirement plans. It remains uncertain whether he will return to the court where he has enjoyed so much success. Meanwhile, the quarter-final opponents of Andy Murray and Dan Evans have been confirmed as another American pair, after Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul beat the Dutch duo of Robin Haase and Jean-Julien Roger.
This unexpected exit for Nadal and Alcaraz marks a significant upset in the men's doubles competition, highlighting the depth and skill of the American doubles specialists. As the tournament progresses, the focus will now shift to the remaining matches, with the Americans looking strong contenders for the title.