Team USA features Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul at the 2024 Paris Olympics, they will play in the second round, while Dan Evans and Andy Murray represent Team GB.i
Dan Evans/Andy Murray vs Sander Gille/Joran Vliegen
Damian Kust: Evans/Murray saving five match points was just so fitting for the 3-time Grand Slam champion in his last event, he’s known for escapes like that. But now they’re running into Gille/Vliegen, who have been playing with each other for ages and are one of the best teams in the event despite flying under the radar. Gille/Vliegen in 2
Jordan Reynolds: Evans and Murray’s incredible comeback in the last round was one of the highlights of the tournament so far. In reality, the pair did not play their best in that match, and will need to step it up against the Belgians, who reached the French Open final in 2023. However, I think the Britons will draw inspiration from what they did in the last match and improve enough to win again. Evans/Murray in 2
Taylor Fritz/Tommy Paul vs Robin Haase/Jean-Julien Rojer
Damian: Haase/Rojer are technically the second-best team from the Netherlands, but it’s tough to say if they are actually less dangerous than Griekspoor/Koolhof. Especially if they can stay dominant on serve, the Dutch pair might prove to be quite threatening as well. Against a random singles duo like Fritz/Paul, they could keep going. Haase/Rojer in 2
Jordan: Neither of these pairs are among the favourites to win the men’s doubles. Of the two, the Germans probably have a more formidable partnership. Struff’s huge serve might be what makes the difference between these two pairs. He is also a capable volleyer. Struff/Koepfer in 2
Nuno Borges/Francisco Cabral vs Dominik Koepfer/Jan-Lennard Struff
Damian: Koepfer/Struff eliminated the defending champions Mektic/Pavic, whose past success didn’t cover up the fact that they hadn’t played with each other in ages. The Germans have such a good combination going with Struff’s big power and Koepfer’s hand skills, maybe this isn’t quite over yet for them despite Borges/Cabral being so in sync. Koepfer/Struff in 3
Jordan: Neither of these pairs are among the favourites to win the men’s doubles. Of the two, the Germans probably have a more formidable partnership. Struff’s huge serve might be what makes the difference between these two pairs. He is also a capable volleyer. Struff/Koepfer in 2
Pablo Carreno Busta/Marcel Granollers vs Matt Ebden-John Peers
Damian: It turned out Granollers didn’t actually have to carry Carreno Busta too much, the former singles World No. 10 was a very worthy addition to the team when they defeated the top-seeded Bolelli/Vavassori. This seems pretty close but with Peers being in patchy form and the Australians not having much experience playing together, Spain could keep going. Carreno Busta/Granollers in 3
Jordan: All four players in this match are very good doubles players. Overall, I think the styles of Peers and Ebden are a slightly better combination than Carreno Busta and Granollers’. Neither of the Spaniards possessing a formidable serve could harm them here. Ebden/Peers in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
