Nadalcaraz Keeps Rolling: Rafa Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz Move Into Olympic Quarterfinals…..

Of all the stories at this Olympics, the one unfolding at Roland Garros involving Nadalcaraz is among the most heartwarming.

Rafael Nadal, 38, is closing in on the end of his career and was ousted from the singles tournament in the second round on Monday by longtime rival Novak Djokovic.

Carlos Alcaraz, 21, is just beginning what looks like one of the greatest careers in men’s tennis history and remains alive for a singles gold medal after already winning the French Open and Wimbledon this year.

Together, the duo known is Nadalcaraz has captured the imagination of the tennis world by winning their first two matches at the Olympics to move into the quarterfinals.

After splitting the first two sets on Tuesday, the Spaniards dominated in the third-set match tiebreak, racing out to a 5-0 lead. The capacity crowd roared in support of the Spanish duo.

“We knew that this match was going to be better than the first one,” Alcaraz said after he and Nadal beat the Dutch pair of Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof, 6-4, 6-7(2), 10-2 on Tuesday.

“We know each other much better on the court. We know how we have to play in the doubles. I feel like I was more of a doubles player.”

Nadal, who owns 22 Grand Slam singles titles and two Olympic gold medals, was in a relaxed mood entering the match and held his son, Rafa Jr., before going on court. That created a tender moment where Nadal was also flanked by Alcaraz, his heir apparent in Spanish tennis and his doubles partner.

Next up Nadalcaraz will face the American duo of Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram for a spot in the semifinals. That match is set for Wednesday.

“Well, we had fun because the score was positive in thebtiebreak,” Nadal said. “We have been suffering but of course we are enjoying playing together.

“We are creating good synergies with good energy, so we are having fun in general. I think we have a positive relationship outside of the court that helps inside.

“We are happy we’re in quarterfinals, closer to the goal and let’s keep being focused. Tomorrow is another important day.

Dan Evans, Andy Murray keep Olympic dream alive

Rafa Nadal isn’t the only 30-something making a run in doubles.

Andy Murray, who is set to retire following the Olympics, and his partner Dan Evans saved two more match points on Tuesday to beat Belgians Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen 6-3, 6-7(8), 11-9. Their latest win came one day after they saved five consecutive match points on Monday.

The Brits saved four consecutive points from 7-9 down in the match tiebreak, leaping for joy after closing the two-hour, five-minute thriller, during which Evans and Murray had two match points in the second-set tiebreak.

They will next face either third-seed Americans Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul or Dutchmen Robin Haase and Jean-Julien Rojer.