By Andy Murray and Dan Evans have advanced to the doubles quarter-finals at the Paris Olympics after a thrilling 6-3, 6-7 (8-10), 11-9 victory over Belgian duo Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen. The match came down to a dramatic tie-break, with the British pair eventually securing the win on their third match point. This victory keeps Murray’s retirement on hold as he aims to finish his career on a high note at the Olympics.
Murray and Evans started strong, taking a commanding 4-1 lead in the first set and eventually winning it 6-3. The second set was more competitive, with both teams holding serve until it reached a tie-break. Despite having two match points, the Brits lost the tie-break 10-8 due to a double fault from Evans. The final set was a nail-biter, with the score tied at 9-9 before Murray and Evans clinched the win at 11-9.
Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz also advanced to the quarter-finals, defeating Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof 6-4, 6-7 (2), 10-2. The Spanish duo, who had never played together before this event, will face the fourth-seeded American team of Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram in the next round.
In the singles competition, Jack Draper was knocked out by American seventh seed Taylor Fritz in the second round. Draper won the first set but struggled in the heat, ultimately losing 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 6-2. Defending Olympic champion Alexander Zverev advanced to the third round with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Tomas Machac.
Coco Gauff suffered a shock third-round exit in the women’s singles after an argument with the chair umpire during her match against Donna Vekic. Gauff, who was trailing by a set, was broken at a crucial point in the second set and went on to lose 7-6 (9-7), 6-2. The incident left Gauff in tears, marking a disappointing end to her Olympic campaign.
Katie Boulter and Heather Watson progressed in the women’s doubles, defeating Angelique Kerber and Laura Siegemund 6-2, 6-3. However, Watson and Joe Salisbury were knocked out of the mixed doubles after a narrow first-round loss to Gabriela Dabrowski and Felix Auger-Aliassime. The Canadian pair will now face third seeds Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz in the quarter-finals.
