No matter what Carlos Alcaraz (left) and Rafael Nadal said to each other here: their tactics worked in the doubles opener. © ANSA / DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

The dream duo takes the first step

Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz are competing for Spain in the doubles competition. The two played their first match on Saturday - and promptly left the court as winners. In the singles, there were several wins by the favorites.

July 27, 2024

From: mv

The generational doubles team consisting of Rafael Nadal (38) and Carlos Alcaraz (21) did very well in the opening match of the doubles competition and won straight away. The Spaniards celebrated a 2-0 victory (7-6 and 6-4) against the Argentinian doubles team Gonzalez/Molteni. In the round of XNUMX, the two will now face either De Minaur/Popyrin or Krajicek/Ram.

Youngster Alcaraz even had a double burden on Saturday, as he had already played his first singles match that morning. He easily beat the Lebanese Hady Habib 6:3 and 6:1. It is not yet clear who Alcaraz will face in the next round, but it will be a match between Tallon Griekspoor and Cameron Norrie.

Djokovic and Medvedev also continue

There were further wins by the favorites in the men's singles. Both Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev won their opening match. While the Serb confidently defeated the Australian Matthew Ebden 6:0 and 6:1, the Russian also impressed with a 2:0 victory (6:2 and 6:1) over Rinky Hijikata (Australia). In the fourth and final match of the day in the men's singles, Taylor Fritz (USA) defeated the Kazakh Alexander Bublik (6:4 and 6:4).

Also on a wave of success at the Olympic Games: Jasmine Paolini. © APA/afp / MARTIN BERNETTI

In the women's competition, the Azzurra Jasmine Paolini celebrated a perfect start. After initial difficulties, she beat Romanian Ana Bogdan 7:5 and 6:3. This means that Paolini is now in the second round. World number one Iga Swiatek (Poland) and Jaqueline Cristian from Romania are also one round further. Three-time Grand Slam winner Angelique Kerber from Germany also celebrated a victory in her opening match. In 68 minutes, she defeated Japanese Naomi Osaka 7:5 and 6:3.

Cancellations due to rain

There were actually more games planned for Saturday, but the weather put a damper on the organizers' plans. The rain meant that only those matches that were scheduled to take place indoors could be played.