Paris 2024 Olympics: Krajicek/Ram beat Spain's Alcaraz/Nadal to reach doubles SFs; Paul reaches singles & doubles QFs

Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram moved within one victory of a medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics with a marquee men's doubles win on Wednesday. In front of a packed Court Philippe-Chatrier at Roland Garros, the Americans knocked off the fan-favorite Spanish duo of Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal, 6-2, 6-4, to advance to the semifinals for the second straight time at the Olympics.

Adding to Team USA's success on Day 5, Tommy Paul picked up wins in singles and doubles, with Taylor Fritz, to advance to the quarterfinals in both draws.

Krajicek/Ram rise to the occasion on Chatrier

With the Paris crowd firmly behind Alcaraz and Nadal—the reigning Roland Garros singles champ and the 14-time French Open titlist—Krajicek and Ram leaned on their doubles experience to earn one of the most memorable wins of their careers.

"I don't think it gets any better than that really, to play Rafa here at Roland Garros," said Krajicek, who fired an ace on match point after fighting off three break points in his final service game.

"It was a surreal feeling to be out there battling with him. We don't get to play in stadiums that full all the time so it was really a pretty cool experience, and probably one of my best ones. It was really cool to stick together, play a great doubles match and get the win and keep moving on here."

While the support was one-sided, save for the traveling U.S. fans, Ram and Krajicek soaked up the atmosphere and used the energy to find their best tennis with the pressure on.

Paul doubles up

Tommy Paul opened his day with a 7-6(6), 6-3  singles win against France's Corentin Moutet, then added a 6-3, 6-4 victory with Fritz against Dutchmen Robin Haase and Jean-Julien Rojer in men's doubles.

"It's not too often I play both events, singles and dubs," Paul said. "Happy to have two W's today."

Paul's next singles match will be a quarterfinal showdown against Alcaraz, whom he has beaten twice. But the pair have never met on clay despite five previous meetings. Paul is ready for a tough test against the man who lifted the Roland Garros singles crown at the same site in June.

"I'd expect a high level of tennis," he said ahead of their Thursday clash. "I think it's been a while since he lost a match here. Some might say that he's the favorite in the tournament, so I've got to go into the match ready for anything."