Tennis at Paris Olympics 2024 Day 7: Doubles predictions ft. Taylor Fritz/Tommy Paul vs John Peers/Matthew Ebden
The remaining doubles semifinals across all disciplines, along with the mixed doubles bronze and gold medal play-offs, are on the cards on Day 7 of the Paris Olympics. Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek were the first teams into the men's doubles final with a win over Tomas Machac and Adam Pavlasek.
Their compatriots Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul will aim to join them by winning their semifinal contest. The Bryan brothers were the last American pair to win the gold medal in men's doubles back in 2012.
With the finish line in sight, teams will be eager to give their all for their countries. On that note, here are the predictions for all the doubles matches lined up for the day at the Paris Olympics:
#1 - Taylor Fritz/Tommy Paul vs John Peers/Matthew Ebden
Fritz and Paul have already bowed out of singles at the Paris Olympics but remain alive in doubles. They beat Canadians Milos Raonic and Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6 (14), 6-4 in the first round, and next ousted the Dutch duo of Robin Hasse and Jean-Julien Rojer in straight sets.
The Americans faced the British duo of Andy Murray and Dan Evans in the quarterfinal and handed them a 6-2, 6-4 loss. The defeat brought an end to the three-time Major champion's career.
Peers and Ebden haven't lost a set either during the tournament. The first beat Hady Habib and Benjamin Hassan from Lebanon, then Spaniards Pablo Carreno Busta and Marcel Granollers, and Germans Jan-Lennard Struff and Dominik Koepfer.
Peers and Ebden's doubles experience might trump Fritz and Paul's combined strengths. The superstar pairing of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz was also eliminated by the doubles duo of Ram and Krajicek, and the Americans could meet the same fate.
Predicted winners: John Peers and Matthew Ebden
#2 - Felix Auger-Aliassime/Gabriela Dabrowski vs Wesley Koolhof/Demi Schuurs
Auger-Aliassime and Dabrowski sneaked past their opponents in the super tie-break to reach the semifinals, where they lost to the Czech duo of Katerina Siniakova and Tomas Machac 6-3, 6-3.
Koolhof and Schuurs led by a set but were beaten by China's Wang Xinyu and Zhang Zhizhen 2-6, 6-4, 10-4. Now, the two teams will fight it out for the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.
Both teams will be keen to not leave the Games without a medal around their necks. Auger-Aliassime has also reached the singles semifinals. He seems to be in the zone this week, and Dabrowski compliments his game quite well. Even though the Dutch duo are a strong team, the Canadians should be able to snag the medal.
Predicted winners: Felix Auger-Aliassime and Gabriela Dabrowski
#3 - Sara Sorribes Tormo/Cristina Bucsa vs Mirra Andreeva/Diana Shnaider
After beating their first couple of opponents in straight sets, Sorribes Tormo and Bucsa were tested in the quarterfinals. However, they dug deep to beat the Kichenok sisters of Ukraine 6-3, 2-6, 12-10.
Andreeva and Shnaider caused one of the biggest upsets of the Paris Olympics in the quarterfinals. They ousted defending champions Siniakova and Barbora Krejcikova of Czechia, beating them 6-1, 7-5.
The Russian youngsters will be the underdogs against Sorribes Tormo and Bucsa as well. But having knocked out one of the most accomplished doubles teams, they will be keen to back up their win. If they produce the same level as the previous round, then Andreeva and Shnaider should be able to advance further.
Predicted winners: Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider
#4 - Sara Errani/Jasmine Paolini vs Karolina Muchova/Linda Noskova
Errani and Paolini easily beat the British pairing of Katie Boulter and Heather Watson 6-3, 6-1 to make the semifinals. Muchova and Noskova were pushed to the limits by Hsieh Su-wei and Tsao Chia-yi but managed to prevail 1-6, 6-4, 14-12.
Both teams are quite solid, and whoever makes the final will be favored to win the gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Paolini and Errani have tasted a lot of success this year as a team. They won the Italian Open and were the finalists at the French Open as well.
This is a great chance for Errani to bag an Olympic medal having already completed a career Grand Slam in doubles. Muchova and Noskova are no pushovers but the Italians' prior results do give them an edge in this encounter.
Pick: Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini
#5 - Katerina Siniakova/Tomas Machac vs Wang Xinyu/Zhang Zhizhen
Siniakova and Machac have made the final without dropping a set. They knocked out Germans Alexander Zverev and Laura Siegemund in their opener, Kei Nishikori and Ena Shibahara in the quarterfinals, and Dabrowski and Auger-Aliassime in the semifinals.
Zhang and Wang made the cut for the mixed doubles as an alternate team. They've taken the Paris Olympics by storm, and have knocked out some experienced teams like Matthew Ebden and Ellen Perez, and Koolhof and Schuurs to make the summit clash.
Siniakova is one of the most decorated doubles players of all time. She has a career Super Slam in women's doubles, though surprisingly she hasn't won anything of note in mixed doubles. Given her talent, this could change rather soon. The Czechs will be the favorites to win based on their performances this week.
Predicted winners: Tomas Machac and Katerina Siniakova