Krajicek/Ram end Alcaraz/Nadal’s hopes at Paris Olympics | ATP Tour

Paris Olympics

Krajicek/Ram end Alcaraz/Nadal’s hopes at Paris Olympics

Americans are seeded fourth

July 31, 2024

Americans Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram ended the Paris Olympics run of Spanish stars Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal with a 6-2, 6-4 victory Wednesday.

Seeded fourth, Krajicek and Ram controlled rallies with high-percentage shots while Alcaraz and Nadal made uncharacteristic errors in the early stages. The Americans remained the more consistent team as the match wore on, breaking Alcaraz’s serve to love at 3-3 in the second set.

Krajicek served out the match at 5-4, beginning that game with a nervy double fault. With a packed crowd vocally supporting the fans’ favourites Alcaraz and Nadal, the American duo kept its cool, fending off three break points to avoid any late drama.

Krajicek aced Alcaraz on match point, painting the sideline with a hefty ad-side slice, which the chair umpire confirmed grazed the line. Alcaraz and Nadal shared a hug before all four players embraced each other at net.

Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz embrace after their quarter-final loss.”>
^{Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz embrace after their quarter-final loss. Credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images}

Krajicek and Ram will continue their quest for a medal with a semi-final meeting Czechs Tomas Machac and Adam Pavlasek.

Alcaraz, making his Olympics debut this fortnight, advanced to the singles quarter-finals earlier in the day with a straight-sets win against Roman Safiullin. Nadal fell in the second round to longtime rival Novak Djokovic.