Djokovic, Alcaraz Close In On Olympics Showdown As Nadal Exits
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz overcame crushing humidity on Wednesday to stay on course for an Olympic final showdown as Rafael Nadal played possibly his final match at Roland Garros.
Djokovic, seeking a first Olympic title to add to his record-breaking collection, defeated German left-hander Dominik Koepfer 7-5, 6-3, becoming the first man to reach four singles quarterfinals at the Games.
Alcaraz brushed aside Roman Safiullin, the Russian playing in Paris as a neutral, 6-4, 6-2.
Nadal, who has won 14 of his 22 Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros, exited Paris after he and Alcaraz were defeated in the men’s doubles, going down 6-2, 6-4 to US pair Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram.
The 38-year-old Nadal, a two-time Olympic gold medallist, walked off Court Philippe Chatrier applauding all four sides of the stadium..
In the women’s singles, world number one Swiatek progressed when Danielle Collins retired injured in the final set. She will face China’s Zheng Qinwen, who ended the career of former world number one and three-time major winner Angelique Kerber.
The 67th-ranked Schmiedlova stunned Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova in straight sets and will next face Donna Vekic of Croatia who needed five match points to defeat Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (10/8).
