Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz opened their Olympic Games doubles campaign with a big win.
Image: AFP
The Spanish duo defeated Argentina's Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni in straight sets 7-6 (7/4), 6-4.
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The duo appeared to a standing ovation on the same packed Court Philippe Chatrier where Nadal won 14 French Opens and Alcaraz collected his first just last month.
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Gonzalez and Molteni, the sixth seeds, entered the arena to a chorus of boos in the aftermath of a recent racism row between Argentina and France.
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Nadal, the winner of Olympic singles gold in 2008 and doubles eight years later in Rio, had his right thigh bandaged but his game was flawless.
Image: AFP
The Spanish pair endured a nightmare start when Alcaraz was broken in the first game.
Image: AFP
The greater experience of Nadal was key as the break was quickly retrieved with the 38-year-old's reflexes as razor sharp as ever at the net.