The Paris Olympics’ favorite era-spanning Spanish doubles duo, 38-year-old Rafael Nadal and 21-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, roared to a second-round victory over the Dutch team of Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof in men’s doubles.
The Spaniards won a match tiebreak, 10-2, to settle things after the teams split the opening two sets, 6-4, 6(2)-7. At the end, even the stoic Nadal couldn't help but savor the moment.
"We had fun because the score was positive in the tiebreak. We have been suffering but we are enjoying playing together, we are creating good synergies, good energy, so yeah, we are having fun in general terms," the legend said.
It was the second time in as many days that Alcaraz ousted the 28-year-old Griekspoor, after defeating the Dutchman in straight sets in the second round of men’s singles play on Monday.
The pair affectionately dubbed “Nadal-caraz” now awaits the fourth-seeded American team of Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram in the quarterfinals. The veteran doubles specialists – Krajicek is 34 and Ram turned 40 in March – have won five doubles Grand Slam titles between them, though never as partners.
It'll be the toughest test yet for the Spanish stars, who continue to build confidence with each victory.
"I'm really happy with the level that we played. I think we played much better than the first match," Alcaraz said. "We are going to keep improving our doubles game, it's going to be better in the quarterfinals."