Nadal and Alcaraz beaten in Olympic doubles

PARIS : Spain's dream team met its match as Rafa Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz's hopes of an Olympic doubles gold medal were ended by American duo Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek on Wednesday.

Their progress had captivated the crowds at Roland Garros where Nadal won 14 French Open singles crowns but their journey was ended in a 6-2 6-4 quarter-final defeat.

The fourth seeded Americans proved a step too far as they combined brilliantly to diffuse the power of the Spaniards despite having few fans inside a packed Court Philippe Chatrier.

The 38-year-old Nadal, who began the Games by carrying the Olympic flame in the opening ceremony, ends it without the medal he craved on what could well be his last appearance on his beloved Parisian clay.