Zverev trips just for a moment, the Spanish dream duo completely
Alexander Zverev carries the hopes for a German tennis medal at the Paris Olympics alone. The Tokyo Olympic champion advances to the quarterfinals, where he faces Alexei Popyrin of Australia. The Spanish dream duo of Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal is eliminated.
Only two steps away from a medal - the dream of a second gold lives on: Alexander Zverev advances to the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games, but had to struggle at times. In Paris, the Tokyo champion defeated Alexei Popyrin of Australia 7:5, 6:3 and had a tough time against the resilient Australian, especially in the first set.
To reach the medal round, Zverev will need to improve against Italian Wimbledon semifinalist Lorenzo Musetti in the quarterfinals. And if he reaches the semifinals, he may face Novak Djokovic in a rematch of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Zverev is now the last German hope after Angelique Kerber's elimination. Earlier, Dominik Koepfer lost to 20-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic 5:7, 3:6. Both German doubles teams, Kevin Krawietz/Tim Puetz and Jan-Lennard Struff/Koepfer, also lost on Wednesday.
After his successful heat battle against Czech Tomas Machac the previous day, Zverev started off rusty on the covered Court Suzanne Lenglen. Popyrin broke early to lead 2:1, and Zverev had to save a set point before turning the set around. He reacted emotionally and played much better in the second set.
Nadal and Alcaraz out
Rafael Nadal's dream of another major triumph at Stade Roland Garros is over. The Spaniard lost in the doubles quarterfinals with French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz to American duo Rajeev Ram/Austin Krajicek 2:6, 4:6. Nadal also lost in the second round of singles to his long-time rival Novak Djokovic.
Nadal's future in Paris is uncertain. The 38-year-old has been plagued by injuries for over a year and has hinted at retirement after the Olympics. He had saved his energy for Paris, skipping Wimbledon after his first-round loss to Alexander Zverev in May. He had won a record 14 Grand Slams at the French Open, but his third Olympic medal remained elusive.
Despite Nadal and Alcaraz's early exit, the excitement in tennis continues. Zverev, with his resilience, secures a spot in the quarterfinals, awaiting his challenge against Lorenzo Musetti.
