Tennis

Anirudh Chandrasekar and David Hernandez of Spain emerged victorious in the doubles pre-quarterfinals of the €74,825 Challenger tennis tournament in Manacor, Spain. The duo overcame the challenge of Joan Nadal Vives and Abdullah Shelbayh in a thrilling encounter that went down to the wire.The match commenced with both teams trading blows, showcasing their impressive skills and determination. The first set was a closely contested affair, with neither team able to gain a significant advantage. The set eventually reached a tiebreaker, where Chandrasekar and Hernandez displayed their resilience and composure to secure the win by a narrow margin of 7-6(6).The second set followed a similar pattern, with both teams matching each other shot for shot. However, this time it was Vives and Shelbayh who managed to edge out their opponents in the tiebreaker, leveling the match at one set apiece.The third set proved to be the most intense and decisive. The teams traded breaks early on, but Chandrasekar and Hernandez managed to gain a crucial break in the eighth game. With the momentum on their side, they held their serve in the following game to take a 10-8 lead in the super tiebreaker.Despite a valiant effort from Vives and Shelbayh, Chandrasekar and Hernandez held their nerve and sealed the victory, advancing to the quarterfinals of the tournament. Their impressive performance showcased their ability to adapt to different playing styles and overcome adversity.In other results from the tournament, S. Mukund of India secured a comfortable victory in the first round of the singles competition, while the doubles team of Sai Karteek Reddy and Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul of Thailand also advanced to the pre-quarterfinals.

Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, two of Spain's most celebrated tennis stars, will team up for the men's doubles event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The duo, widely regarded as the most formidable pairing in the tournament, will be aiming to secure a gold medal for their nation.Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, is no stranger to Olympic success. He has won two gold medals in singles, at the 2008 Beijing Games and the 2016 Rio Games. Alcaraz, on the other hand, will be making his Olympic debut in Paris. The 19-year-old is the reigning French Open champion and is widely considered to be the future of men's tennis.The Nadal-Alcaraz duo will face a tough challenge in the first round, as they will take on the Argentine pair of Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez. Molteni and Gonzalez are experienced doubles players who have won several ATP Tour titles.The match between Nadal and Alcaraz is scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 27, at the iconic Stade Roland Garros in Paris. The match is expected to start at 10:30 PM IST and will be telecast live on the Sports 18 Network. It will also be live streamed on the JioCinema app.Nadal and Alcaraz will be hoping to emulate the success of the legendary Spanish doubles team of Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez, who won the gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. With their combined experience and talent, Nadal and Alcaraz have a strong chance of adding another Olympic gold to Spain's impressive tally.

Carlos Alcaraz's Wimbledon quarterfinal victory over Tommy Paul was not just a tennis triumph but also a testament to his unwavering passion for soccer. The 21-year-old Spaniard, an avid fan of his national team, had been eagerly anticipating the UEFA European Championships throughout the tournament.When Spain's semifinal clash with France coincided with his own quarterfinal match, Alcaraz faced a scheduling dilemma. Determined to catch as much of the action as possible, he expressed hope that the matches would not overlap. However, fate had other plans.As the first set slipped away from Alcaraz, his focus shifted to the soccer match. But with his tennis match in the balance, he knew he had to regain his composure. Summoning his determination, Alcaraz rallied back to win the next three sets and secure a spot in the semifinals.Despite his victory, Alcaraz's mind was still on the soccer match. He reportedly arrived late to his post-match press conference because he was glued to the television, watching Spain's nail-biting 2-1 victory over France.Alcaraz's passion for soccer extends beyond mere fandom. He has a close relationship with Spain forward Alvaro Morata, and they have developed a "lucky" tradition of communicating before their respective matches. According to Alcaraz, Morata has told him that every time they speak, both teams win.As Alcaraz prepares to face Daniil Medvedev in the Wimbledon semifinals on Thursday, he knows that the stakes are high. But with Spain's Euro 2024 final scheduled for the same day, he will be juggling his tennis commitments with his unwavering support for his beloved national team.