Tennis at Paris Olympics 2024 Day 5: Men's doubles predictions ft. Rafael Nadal/Carlos Alcaraz vs Rajeev Ram/Austin Krajicek
Men's doubles in tennis at the Paris Olympics 2024 has certainly given the singles event a run for its money. The superstar pairing of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz have made the quarterfinals, with both of their matches featuring jam-packed crowds.
Andy Murray, who's set to bid adieu to the sport after the Paris Olympics, remains in contention as well. Teaming up with Dan Evans, the duo saved multiple match points in both of their prior matches to make the last eight.
Three quarterfinal matches, along with the remaining second-round duel, will take place on Wednesday, July 31. Here's a look at the predictions for all the men's doubles matches lined up for the day at the Paris Olympics:
#1 - Rafael Nadal/Carlos Alcaraz vs Rajeev Ram/Austin Krajicek (QF)
Nadal and Alcaraz, competing together for the first time, upset the sixth seeded duo of Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez 7-6 (4), 6-4 in the first round. They took on the Dutch pairing of Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof in the second round.
The Spaniards took the first set courtesy of a lone break of serve. They had multiple break point chances in the second set but the Dutch duo dug deep to hold firm, and stole the set in the tie-break.
Nadal and Alcaraz simply outclassed their rivals in the third set super tie-break to win the match 6-4, 6-7 (2), 10-2. The American combine of Ram and Krajicek, seeded fourth, beat Australians Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin 6-2, 6-3 in their opener.
They next ousted Brazilians Thiago Monteiro and Thiago Seyboth Wild to make the last eight. Ram and Krajicek are both doubles specialists, with the latter also winning the French Open last year.
However, Nadal and Alcaraz are no ordinary players. Two of the sport's very best will find a way to succeed at all costs regardless of the opposition. The 38-year-old already won a gold medal in doubles at the Rio Olympics in 2016. His quest for a second one should remain alive with a win over the Americans.
Predicted winner: Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz
#2 - Matthew Ebden/John Peers vs Dominik Koepfer/Jan-Lennard Struff (QF)
Ebden and Peers defeated Lebanon's Hady Habib and Benjamin Hassan 7-6 (5), 6-2 in the first round of the Paris Olympics. They followed it up with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Pablo Carreno Busta and Marcel Granollers from Spain.
Koepfer and Struff upset defending champion Mate Pavic and Nikola Metkic 6-3, 6-7 (5), 10-5 in the first round. They easily beat the Portuguese duo of Nuno Borges and Francisco Cabral 6-2, 6-2 in the second round.
Unfortunately, Struff sustained an injury and has already pulled out of singles due to it. This could affect his performance in doubles as well. Ebden won the Australian Open earlier this year, and Peers is a two-time Major champion as well. The men from Down Under are likely to edge their German counterparts in this encounter.
Predicted winner: Matthew Ebden and John Peers
#3 - Tim Putz/Kevin Krawietz vs Tomas Machac/Adam Pavlasek
Putz and Kraweitz began their Paris Olympics campaign with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Daniil Medvedev and Roman Safiullin. They next beat home favorites Gael Monfils and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-3, 6-1.
Machac and Pavlasek have fought their way into the quarterfinals, with both of their previous matches going to a super tie-break. They first beat Brits Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski, and then the Chilean pair of Alejandro Tabilo and Nicolas Jarry.
Kraweitz won the French Open in 2019 and 2020, along with five more titles on clay, of which one was with Putz this year. The Germans are the more experienced and in-sync pair in this match-up, and will have the upper hand against the Czech duo.
Predicted winner: Tim Putz and Kevin Kraweitz
#4 - Taylor Fritz/Tommy Paul vs Robin Hasse/Jean-Julien Rojer (R2)
Fritz and Paul ousted Canadians Milos Raonic and Felix Auger-Aliassime in the first round, securing a 7-6 (14), 6-4 win over them. Rojer and Hasse defeated Mariano Navone and Tomas Martin Etcheverry 7-6 (3), 7-6 (4) in the first round of the Paris Olympics.
Fritz is a busy man at the Paris Olympics, contesting all three tennis events, and being alive in all of them at the moment. He has enjoyed great success on clay this year in singles, and will aim to do the same in doubles. Paul has also improved his results on the red dirt this year.
Rojer is a former French Open champion in doubles, and the most experienced player in the discipline in this encounter. However, Fritz and Paul's combined strengths could prove to be too much for their Dutch rivals.
Predicted winner: Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul