Andy Murray continued to write a remarkable final chapter to his career in Paris as he and Dan Evans conjured another dramatic escape to reach the quarter-finals of the men’s doubles.
After the drama of Sunday’s five-match-point-saving comeback to defeat Japanese duo Taro Daniel and Kei Nishikori, it appeared this would be slightly less nail-biting when they brought up two match points in the second-set tie-break against Belgian duo Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen.
But instead, Murray and Evans were taken to another match tie-break by last year’s French Open finalists and had to save two more match points before claiming a 6-3 6-7 (8) (11/9) victory and a place in the last eight.
Murray and Evans again bounced around the court with joy after the latter put away the decisive volley before the moment caught up with the Scot and he sat on his chair with head in hands.
Andy Murray and Dan Evans: Latest scores and tennis updates
- Andy Murray and Dan Evans reach quarter-finals in Olympics men’s doubles
- Murray is playing in his final tournament and extended his career for one more match
- The Team GB pair saved two more match points to defeat Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen
- Murray’s match follows Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, who are also through
- Spanish pair win final tiebreak to keep Nadal’s Olympics hopes alive in men’s doubles
Andy Murray summons survivor spirit once again to extend Olympics dream
Tuesday 30 July 2024 22:00
Jamie Braidwood at Roland Garros
After the yelling and the leaping, the hugging and the sheer disbelief, Andy Murray returned to his seat and acted as if he had found a moment of silence amid the bedlam. Head in his hands, he tried to process the previous minute where his career teetered on the brink and then came roaring back once more. He can’t believe this. Can we? Not a chance. His Olympics show with Dan Evans goes on and the last dance gets another turn. As thrilling as the last time, as fraught with tension, two more match points saved to extend a career by at least two more days.
Because why not? Murray is making up the rules now. When you’ve already saved five match points and seen the end, you are playing with house money, even if it is potentially the final match of your career.
Murray and Evans summoned the spirit of what they found in that memorable escape in the opening round, first playing as if they had nothing to lose and everything to win, then digging themselves out of trouble again.
Two more match points saved, they won another final tiebreak to beat Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen to reach the Olympics quarter-finals.
Tuesday 30 July 2024 22:58
Jamie Braidwood
Andy Murray’s reaction after reaching Olympics doubles quarter-finals with Dan Evans:
“The first match was quite different to today. We didn’t play well in the first match and were very unlucky and today it was the opposite. If I was standing here having lost that, I think Dan and I would have been very disappointed as we played much better than the first match. I served way better and we deserved to win today. Great to save a couple of match points but it shouldn’t have got to that stage. “It’s unbelievably emotional. You’re unbelievably happy and then for what ever reason, I don’t know why but happy tears. I don’t know why that’s the case but I was really emotional at the end of the match. Happy, exciting that we managed to get through another amazing finish. It takes a lot out of you so I’m grateful for a day off tomorrow.”
Tuesday 30 July 2024 22:30
Chris Wilson
Here’s that reaction from Murray! Not a man who wants to retire, by any means.
Look at what that win means to Andy Murray ❤️ #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/yf2t4fC5B0
— Eurosport (@eurosport) July 30, 2024
Tuesday 30 July 2024 22:25
Chris Wilson
Brilliant emotion from show from Evans and Murray. Murray was in tears briefly as he took a seat to take it all in.
Murray speaks to BBC
Tuesday 30 July 2024 22:19
Chris Wilson
Murray and Evans eventually found some time to speak to BBC after their nail-biting win.
“Tonight we deserved to win, in the first round I didn’t feel that way, we were lucky,” Murray said.
“We were playing well and had lots of chances. We played every point and came up with some great returns when we were down in the third set and we served it out really well at the end, but we left it a bit too close for comfort.”
Evans says the pair “crawled over the line at the end”, though Murray adds that it was “way better than the first match, certainly from my side - there was nerves and I didn’t serve well at all [in the first match]”.
“Today from my side I was much happier with how I served and we gave them few chances on the return.
“If we can serve that way and combine like that we will be really tough to beat and obviously winning matches like that builds a bit of confidence.
“The opponents see that we have been coming back and that really helps.”
Murray and Evans' potential route to gold
Tuesday 30 July 2024 22:10
Chris Wilson
Team GB don’t yet know their quarter-final opponents, though they know who it could be.
They’ll face either a pair from the USA or Netherlands, who play tomorrow.
Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul face Robin Haase and Jean-Julien Rojer.
If they were to win that, they would face either Australia or Germany in the semi-final – Matthew Ebden and John Peers play Dominik Koepfer and Jan-Lennard Struff in their quarter-final tomorrow.
If they somehow made it to the final, they could well face Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal in the gold medal match.
Tuesday 30 July 2024 21:55
Chris Wilson
What a few minutes that was for Team GB. Moments after a gold in the pool...this.
The Olympic dream LIVES ON for Dan Evans and Andy Murray!
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 30, 2024
The @TeamGB duo are into the quarter-finals at #Paris2024.
The show goes on for Murray!#BBCOlympics #Olympics pic.twitter.com/Dp0qz6Xnfp
Simone Biles wins Olympic gold with a little help from her friends as USA dominate team final
Tuesday 30 July 2024 21:50
Chris Wilson
Some of the other news from today at the Olympics...
The all-around team final is a wild circus of a night with flips and spins and falls in all directions, and you need four eyes to watch. But at 8.20pm there was only one routine left to perform, and the room belonged to Simone Biles.
She performed with spring and extraordinary height, the highlight of which was a triple twisting double-back somersault which is hard enough to write, let alone deliver in an Olympic final. The routine contained some flaws on landing but it is a measure of her otherworldly skill that her score of 14.666 was still the best all night by a distance. She sealed gold with a kiss and the Bercy Arena erupted.
Eight years after winning her fourth Olympic gold medal, Biles now has her fifth. It is her 38th world and Olympic medal, if anyone is still counting at this point. She did it with cameras inches from her face at every turn. She did it performing slightly within herself, stepping back from the edge. And she did it as part of a phenomenally talented team.
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans 6-3 6-6 (8-10) 11-9 Gille and Vliegen - GB GO THROUGH TO THE QUARTER-FINALS!
Tuesday 30 July 2024 21:36
Chris Wilson
Elation for Murray – and for Evans – as the Scot knows there’ll be at least one more chapter to add to an illustrious career.
The duo will face the winner of tomorrow’s tie between the USA and the Netherlands, with Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul playing Robin Haase and Jean-Julien Rojer.
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans 6-3 6-6 (8-10) 11-9 Gille and Vliegen - GB GO THROUGH TO THE QUARTER-FINALS!
Tuesday 30 July 2024 21:30
Chris Wilson
Gille serves again – and Evans smashes it right at Vliegen, who can only guide his return long!
Murray will serve with match point.
And GB take it! Murray will play at least one more match!
His serve is returned but it sets up a great volley chance for Evans - he obliges, smashing it over for 11-9! GB are through to the quarter-finals!
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans 6-3 6-6 (8-10) 9-9 Gille and Vliegen - THIRD SET TIE-BREAK
Tuesday 30 July 2024 21:27
Chris Wilson
Murray to serve – can GB find daylight?
Not yet, as Murray finds the net for 6-6. The pairs change ends, and it’s soon 7-6 to Belgium as Evans can’t return a lovely switch from Vliegen. Two points lost on Murray’s serve there.
Belgium go 8-6 up as Vliegen rifles another cross-court shot in.
but there’s a lifeline for GB as Evans returns well and Vliegen can only scoop it wide!
Evans will be next to serve, but he hooks his return long and Belgium have two match points...
They save one though, as Vliegen can’t return Evans’ serve.
And they save the second too! Gille slices a return against the net and we move to 9-9!!
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans 6-3 6-6 (8-10) 6-5 Gille and Vliegen - THIRD SET TIE-BREAK
Tuesday 30 July 2024 21:21
Chris Wilson
Murray’s return from Vliegen’s serve creeps wide, and we’re level again.
Evans’ return goes long and Belgium find themselves 4-3 up. Evans will serve next...
His first is brilliant, forcing Gille to hook it long on the return. His second isn’t so good, and the return is fired past by Vliegen. 5-4 to Belgium as Gille steps up to serve.
GB get lucky as Gille can only return Murray’s shot against the net. 5-5!
And GB win the next point as the same happens again! 6-5.
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans 6-3 6-6 (8-10) 3-2 Gille and Vliegen - THIRD SET TIE-BREAK
Tuesday 30 July 2024 21:17
Chris Wilson
A good start for GB at 1-0, but Murray can’t return the serve and it’s level.
Gille’s next serve is a good one, but it’s returned well and the Belgian makes the mistake for the mini-break! 2-1 to GB.
Vliegen goes long with the return, and it was a great decision from Murray to leave that one. Really kept his calm.
The Scot serves again – but his return finds the net after some hesitation over whether Vliegen’s shot was landing in. 3-2 as Vliegen serves.
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans 6-3 6-6 (8-10) - Gille and Vliegen - THIRD SET TIE-BREAK
Tuesday 30 July 2024 21:13
Chris Wilson
Hopefully we won’t need the drama of their first round match for GB to get through.
This tie-break is first to 10 points, for a place in the quarter-finals. It all looked so positive for the British at one point, and they had the match points to take it, but here we are.
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans 6-3 6-6 (8-10) Gille and Vliegen - BELGIUM WIN SECOND SET TIE-BREAK
Tuesday 30 July 2024 21:10
Chris Wilson
Evans hooks the return out and now it’s set point to the Belgians!
Murray serves to save it...and he does! Vliegen hooks the attempted lob wide for 7-7.
Murray to serve again – and there’s another match point as Gille can only find the net with the return!
But it’s not to be yet, as Gille’s volley runs past Evans. There are protests from GB as they feel Vliegen’s serve hit the net, but the umpire gives Belgium the point for 9-8.
Evans to serve to save the set – and he double faults! Terrible end to the set, and we’re going to a match tie-break.
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans 6-3 6-6 (6-6) Gille and Vliegen - SECOND SET TIE-BREAK
Tuesday 30 July 2024 21:04
Chris Wilson
There were 19 serve games held in a row between the two pairs until the tie-break, but both seem to be struggling a little.
Belgium have their first lead of the tie-break as Gille beats out Evans for 4-3.
Vliegen serves, but it’s another lost serve point as it bounces off Gille and wide!
Evans’s return creeps past the baseline for 5-4 to Belgium, and he’ll serve to recover.
The first serve is great, allowing Murray to volley out of reach at the net! 5-5.
And his second is good too, eventually ending with Vliegen hooking an attempted lob long! Match point!
Gille serves to save the match – and he does, so we go in at 6-6!
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans 6-3 6-6 (3-3) Gille and Vliegen - SECOND SET TIE-BREAK
Tuesday 30 July 2024 20:59
Chris Wilson
A brilliant shot from Murray finds the space as he guides it down the line for 3-1.
Gille serves again and this one is better, with Vliegen eventually guiding an easy volley in after Evans’ lobbed return.
Murray is next to serve, and he double faults too! We’re at 3-3. Team GB will be kicking themselves.
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans 6-3 6-6 (2-1) Gille and Vliegen - SECOND SET TIE-BREAK
Tuesday 30 July 2024 20:57
Chris Wilson
Vliegen serves first, but he messes up his return and fires it long for 1-0! Evans serves first for GB, but the Belgian return clips the net and just creeps in at the baseline!
Or does it? The umpire checks and it’s gone long! 2-0 to GB.
But Evans double faults and it’s 2-1.
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans 6-3 6-6 Gille and Vliegen - SECOND SET TIE-BREAK
Tuesday 30 July 2024 20:54
Chris Wilson
A good return from Vliegen gives Belgium a 15-0 lead, but Evans fights back with a volley at the net to bring GB level.
An ace from Murray gives GB the lead, and Gille’s return clips the net and bounces out for 40-15.
Another good serve from Murray can’t be returned, so we go to a tie-break!
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans 6-3 5-6 Gille and Vliegen
Tuesday 30 July 2024 20:50
Chris Wilson
Gille starts his serve game with two good serves that Vliegen guides in at the net. 30-0!
And another good volley from Vliegen gets Belgium to 40-0, before Gille finds the baseline with an easy backhand for 6-5.
Murray will serve to take us to a tie-break.
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans 6-3 5-5 Gille and Vliegen
Tuesday 30 July 2024 20:47
Chris Wilson
Evans to serve to keep GB in the second set. Good start, as his first serve is returned into the net.
Murray gets to the net to volley over for 30-0, and Evans fires in an ace for 40-0.
And it’s straightforward stuff for the British duo, holding serve in a few minutes to get to 5-5.
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans 6-3 4-5 Gille and Vliegen
Tuesday 30 July 2024 20:44
Chris Wilson
Murray next to serve, and he quickly fashions a 30-0 lead before Vliegen fires in to claw a point back.
The Belgians’ return is long on the next point though, and Evans guides the volley in at the net for 4-4! Nothing separating the two duos in this set so far. It has the feeling of a tie-break, to be honest.
Evans goes long with the lob attempt, and it’s 15-all after the first two points of the Belgian serve.
Vliegen goes long with a return though, and GB are up 30-15...but Murray can only find the net with a return, and it’s parity again.
And Belgium are up again as Gille rifles a volley in – but a brilliant return from Murray takes us to deuce! Evans follows it with a superb return down the line for advantage and break point.
But it’s deuce again though after a great serve from Vliegen.
Another break point chance after a lovely lob from Evans – can GB take their second chance?
They can’t, as Murray can only return to the net again. An unforced error from Evans gives the Belgians the advantage, and Vliegen’s serve saves them for 5-4!
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans 6-3 3-4 Gille and Vliegen
Tuesday 30 July 2024 20:32
Chris Wilson
Evans looks to keep the duo on track as he serves, and a well-hit serve on the third point gives them a 30-15 lead.
Gille fires long on the return for 40-15, before GB wrap it up with some good defence eventually drawing the mistake from Vliegen.
Gille with a couple of big shots in the next game to give the Belgians a 40-0 lead, though a mishit volley gives GB a lifeline in this game.
Moments later, Evans squeezes a return in at the opposite line, but Belgium take the game and Gille holds serve for 4-3.
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans 6-3 2-3 Gille and Vliegen
Tuesday 30 July 2024 20:24
Chris Wilson
Murray to serve next, and he starts well with his serve forcing an error for 30-0.
Evans fires a volley to the opposite line for 40-0, before GB seal it for 2-2.
The next game starts with Vliegen mishitting the return miles over for 15-0, though the Belgians are soon level, and they’re ahead once Evans hooks a return wide.
We’re quickly at 40-15 after Murray’s return overruns, and Belgium wrap it up with a good serve that Evans can’t guide in on the return.
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans 6-3 1-2 Gille and Vliegen
Tuesday 30 July 2024 20:17
Chris Wilson
Great serving from Evans puts GB 40-0 up, before an ace means GB take the game unanswered.
The Belgians answer with good serves from Gille putting them 30-0 up, before Murray fires long for 40-0.
And Murray finds the net with the return and we stay on serve.
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans 6-3 0-1 Gille and Vliegen
Tuesday 30 July 2024 20:13
Chris Wilson
The Belgians serve first in the second set.
Vliegen’s serve is a bit nervy and they go 30-15 down, but they get level after Evans’ volley lands wide.
Evans returns a serve to the net for 40-30, and Murray does the same to give the Belgians the game.
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans 6-3 Gille and Vliegen – FIRST SET GOES TO MURRAY AND EVANS
Tuesday 30 July 2024 20:08
Chris Wilson
Murray volleys in at the net for 15-0, before Evans’ serve is returned to the net for 30-0.
Vliegen volleys in at the net for 30-15, and Murray can only find the net with his next volley, so we’re level.
And a superb return gives the Belgians the lead for break point! A worry for GB.
But they save it as Evans’s serve forces Gille to return against the net.
And GB go ahead with the advantage after good work from Murray to get his hands sorted and volley over. But we’re back to deuce after a double fault from Evans.
Belgium scoop the return past the baseline for another British advantage, and the next return is out too and Team GB take the first set after 43 minutes!
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans 5-3 Gille and Vliegen
Tuesday 30 July 2024 20:01
Chris Wilson
15-all after the first two points in the Belgians’ serve game. Can GB take the set here with a break?
Belgium win the next point for 30-15, before Vliegen returns at the net and Murray can’t reach it.
Evans approaches the net with the volley to make it 40-30, before Murray hooks the return long for 5-3 in the first set.
It’ll be Dan Evans to serve for the set.
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans 5-2 Gille and Vliegen
Tuesday 30 July 2024 19:55
Chris Wilson
Another quick lead for the Belgians in their serve game, getting 30-0 within a couple of minutes, but Evan rifles a shot just within the baseline for 30-15.
The Belgians take the game eventually though, so Murray will serve for 5-2.
He starts off well, with a routine coming off for Evans to volley in at the net for 15-0.
And a brilliant second point ensues, with a beautiful scooped volley flying past Vliegen at the net.
Evans smashes in for 40-0, though there’s some brief hope for the Belgians as Gille approaches the net and guides the backhand between the two Brits.
No matter though, as Murray rifles home an ace for 5-2! Superb from Team GB in that game.
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans 4-1 Gille and Vliegen
Tuesday 30 July 2024 19:47
Chris Wilson
The Belgians race into a 30-0 lead in game four, before Evans hooks a return well wide for 40-0.
Evans guides a volley over at the net for 40-15, but the game goes to Belgium after he then finds the net with the return.
Evans serves for the fifth game, and it starts with Murray cushioning in a volley for 15-0.
Vliegen finds the net on the return for 40-0 to Team GB, and Murray volleys home at the net for 4-1 to the British pairing!
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans 3-0 Gille and Vliegen
Tuesday 30 July 2024 19:41
Jamie Braidwood at Roland Garros
Murray and Evans knew they had to improve having been so close to an opening defeat, and would admit that they could not have started much worse than against Nishikori and Daniel.
There is already more purpose to their play, and far better communication between the pair. Murray is directing Evans’ serve by signalling with his fingers behind his back.
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans 3-0 Gille and Vliegen
Tuesday 30 July 2024 19:41
Chris Wilson
Can Team GB secure the break by holding serve here? Not a good start, as Evans hooks a return wide.
And Belgium go 30-0 up after Murray misjudges the return and leaves it to creep in.
But we’re back to 30-15 after the return from Murray’s serve finds the net – and then 30-all after Evans smashes home an overhead volley.
Some good work from Evans sets Murray up to cushion a volley in between the two Belgians for 40-30, before Team GB take the game after another superb winner – this time, Murray scoops a lob over the two Belgians which finds a postage stamp just within the baseline.
3-0 to the British duo at the moment!
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans 2-0 Gille and Vliegen
Tuesday 30 July 2024 19:36
Chris Wilson
A superb return from Evans – straight down the line from the serve – gives GB the first point of game two, and Murray follows that up with his own guided passing shot down the line for 30-0.
And Murray does well once more to get a backhand over that crashes against the racquet of Vliegen for 40-0 and three break points.
The next serve is returned to the net from Murray. 40-15 to GB.
And it’s exceptional from Evans, who lobs a brilliant return over the two Belgians at the net to break serve already!
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans 1-0 Gille and Vliegen
Tuesday 30 July 2024 19:32
Chris Wilson
The Belgians take the first point of the match as Evans scoops wide. They take the second too, as Evans’ return is volleyed home at the net.
We move to 30-15 as Evans’ serve can only be returned against the net, and it’s level as Gille hooks it long.
Vliegen’s return forces the error from Evans, and it’s break point in the opening game...but it’s saved as Evans’ serve is returned to the net for deuce.
But Murray misses a great chance at the net to volley home for the advantage, knocking it long! The British pair make amends though with a couple of brilliant volleys at the net.
Deuce again – and Team GB have their first advantage. They take the opening game after the Belgian return finds the net.
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans 0-0 Gille and Vliegen
Tuesday 30 July 2024 19:24
Chris Wilson
And it’s Evans to get us underway at Roland Garros!
Olympics 2024: Murray and Evans vs Gille and Vliegen
Tuesday 30 July 2024 19:17
Chris Wilson
We’re not far from the start of play here, with the players out on the court now. Can team GB secure a spot in the quarter-finals?
Olympics 2024 - Men’s Tennis Doubles, Round 2 – SPAIN MOVE THROUGH TO QUARTER-FINALS
Tuesday 30 July 2024 19:05
Chris Wilson
British pair Andy Murray and Dan Evans will be up next on Suzanne-Lenglen.
They’re facing the Belgian pair of Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen.
Olympics 2024 - Men’s Tennis Doubles, Round 2 – SPAIN MOVE THROUGH TO QUARTER-FINALS
Tuesday 30 July 2024 19:01
Chris Wilson
The Dutch can barely salvage anything here as the Spanish move to 9-1. The Dutch pair do get one back with a volley at the net for 9-2, though.
Alcaraz will serve for the match – his serve is returned, but Nadal is there at the net to guide it over! Spain are through to the quarter-finals!
Olympics 2024 - Men’s Tennis Doubles, Round 2 – ‘Third set’ tie-break
Tuesday 30 July 2024 18:58
Chris Wilson
Spain have a huge advantage here, but they know how dangerous the Dutch can be. They drag a point back as Alcaraz hits it long.
And a brilliant rally ends with two volleys from Alcaraz, with the second guided past the two orange shirts for 6-1.
The Dutch return at the net goes long for the unforced error, and the Spanish duo are within touching distance at 7-1.
Nadal’s serve is good and the return is long – we move to 8-1.
Olympics 2024 - Men’s Tennis Doubles, Round 2 – ‘Third set’ tie-break
Tuesday 30 July 2024 18:53
Chris Wilson
Spain win the first point of the third set tie-break as Nadal’s serve is unreturnable. They win the second too after Nadal gets to the net and rifles a shot straight at Koolhof.
And a superb return from the Dutch serve sees Nadal guide a ridiculous shot in for 3-0.
Alcaraz to serve next – and we go to 4-0 after his serve can only be returned to the net!
And Spain are halfway there! 5-0 as the same happens again.
Olympics 2024 - Men’s Tennis Doubles, Round 2 – Dutch win the second set tie-break!
Tuesday 30 July 2024 18:47
Chris Wilson
Koolhof’s next service point ends with him looping the ball into the postage stamp over Nadal, and it’s 4-1 to the Dutch. Might we be seeing the ‘first to 10’ tie-break for the decider?
Alcaraz to serve next, and the Dutch return is wide so we go into a short break at 4-2.
Alcaraz to serve once more – and he crashes a return against the net! 5-2 to the Dutch.
Griekspoor fires another serve that Alcaraz can’t return, and we move to 6-2 – there’ll be four set points.
And they only need one! More drama as the Dutch win the tie-break 7-2.
Olympics 2024 - Men’s Tennis Doubles, Round 2
Tuesday 30 July 2024 18:42
Chris Wilson
Nadal nails another overhead volley to get Spain to 40-0, before Alcaraz makes it 6-6. We’re heading to a tie-break!
The Dutch start with the serve, and Griekspoor forces the error from Alcaraz for 1-0.
Nadal’s serve is unreturnable though, so it moves to 1-1. The Roland Garros favourite serves again, and Koolhof guides it past Alcaraz for 2-1.
Olympics 2024 - Men’s Tennis Doubles, Round 2
Tuesday 30 July 2024 18:35
Chris Wilson
Plenty of invention from Alcaraz to scoop over the net for a winner on the first point, before great serving from Nadal sets his partner up to volley home for 40-0 moments later.
Alcaraz wraps up the game with a brilliant backhand volley right at the net, so we’re at 5-5.
15-all in the Dutch service game after more excellent work from Alcaraz, guiding a forehand down the line before two straight volleys end up giving Spain the point.
And they make it to 40-30 eventually, once again after Alcaraz nails a volley. Break point for the Spaniards..but the Dutch save after good work from Koolhof.
And the Dutch take it eventually, saving break point and going back in front after Alcaraz can only find the net. 6-5 to the Dutch! Will we see a tie-break?
Olympics 2024 - Men’s Tennis Doubles, Round 2
Tuesday 30 July 2024 18:23
Chris Wilson
Two unforced errors from the Dutch bring us to 30-15, and a double fault from Griekspoor gives the Spaniards two break points. He goes some way to making up for it with an ace though.
Can the Spaniards convert the second break point?
They can’t, as Alcaraz overhits the return, and we move to deuce.
Another great serve from Griekspoor to take it to advantage for the Dutch...and they take the set from two breaks down! Back in front at 5-4.
Olympics 2024 - Men’s Tennis Doubles, Round 2
Tuesday 30 July 2024 18:19
Chris Wilson
The Spaniards’ service game goes to deuce before the Dutch earn the advantage...and their return goes long! We have deuce again as Alcaraz screams in celebration.
But it’s advantage once more as Koolhof volleys Alcaraz’s return at the net. No matter though, as Alcaraz saves once more with a powerful serve.
And Spain move to advantage after Nadal guides a perfect volley at the net between the two Dutchmen.
We go back to 4-4 as the return is hooked wide by Griekspoor.
Olympics 2024 - Men’s Tennis Doubles, Round 2
Tuesday 30 July 2024 18:08
Chris Wilson
Superb again from Alcaraz, this time at the net, to cushion a volley gently over that bounces out of reach for the Dutch. It was for game point for the Spanish too, so we move to 3-3.
And the Spaniards go 30-0 up in the next game...but a great volley from Griekspoor gets us back to 30-all!
A great looping serve in the next point is unreturnable for Nadal, and the Netherlands move to 4-3 ahead as Alcaraz’s return crashes against the net.
Olympics 2024 - Men’s Tennis Doubles, Round 2
Tuesday 30 July 2024 17:57
Chris Wilson
Brilliant from Alcaraz on the line to defend the point and the Dutch return is raked wide, so Spain go 40-0 up. They take the game after good work at the net from Nadal forces the Netherlands into overhitting the return.
And another serve is held by the Dutch as Nadal can only find the net at 40-30. 3-2 to the Netherlands.
Olympics 2024 - Men’s Tennis Doubles, Round 2
Tuesday 30 July 2024 17:47
Chris Wilson
Attention turns fully to Nadal and Alcaraz now, but no danger of an early break from either duo in the second set yet.
Spain hold easily enough and the Dutch respond by going up 40-15 in their service game, before Nadal’s return from the serve goes long. 2-1 to the Dutch!
Olympics 2024 - Tennis Doubles, Round 1 - BOULTER & WATSON THROUGH TO ROUND 2
Tuesday 30 July 2024 17:41
Chris Wilson
Boulter and Watson will face the Brazilian pair of Beatriz Haddad Maia and Luisa Stefani in the next round.
Nadal and Alcaraz have lost the first game of set two in their match.
Olympics 2024 - Tennis Doubles, Round 1 - BOULTER & WATSON THROUGH TO ROUND 2
Tuesday 30 July 2024 17:38
Chris Wilson
Match point here as a backhand pass saves the game for Team GB to take them to deuce before a forehand gets them the advantage.
And they’ve done it! A backhand passing shot is the final shot of the match, as Watson and Boulter go through to round two after winning 6-2, 6-3!
Olympics 2024 - Tennis Doubles, Round 1
Tuesday 30 July 2024 17:33
Chris Wilson
And it’s 5-3 before we know it too, with a couple of unforced errors from the Germans followed up with a nice overhead winner and a raking forehand to take Team GB within a game of the second set.
Nadal and Alcaraz have taken set one in their match too.
Olympics 2024 - Tennis Doubles, Round 1
Tuesday 30 July 2024 17:28
Chris Wilson
Back to 4-3 before we know it as the German pair hold serve in a straightforward game for them. Watson will serve to keep Britain on track.
Olympics 2024 - Tennis Doubles, Round 1
Tuesday 30 July 2024 17:25
Chris Wilson
Boulter holds serve after a potentially nervy deuce, with Team GB benefitting from an unforced error before Boulter fires in the ace. 4-2 to the Brits in the second set!
Nadal and Alcaraz have avoided a break point in their game, seeing the game through to make 5-3. The Netherlands are serving to stay in the set there.
Olympics 2024 - Tennis Doubles, Round 1
Tuesday 30 July 2024 17:19
Chris Wilson
We’re back up to 3-2 after both teams hold their serve, though it could have been so much better for Team GB as the pair went up 30-0 before losing three points in a row.
Germany take the fifth game after forcing the forehand error, and Watson and Boulter look to hold serve once more. Remember they got the break in the first game that could prove crucial here.
In the men’s doubles, Alcaraz and Nadal finally have the break they wanted in the first set agains the Dutch. 4-3 with the Spanish to serve next.
Last time out: Murray extends career with comeback
Tuesday 30 July 2024 17:13
Jamie Braidwood
There is no perfect way to call time, no method of looking into the future to see the end of the script that has been written for you. Except, in a way, there is: “The final match of Andy Murray’s career came in a painful defeat in the Olympics men’s doubles, alongside Dan Evans on a half-full court at Roland Garros,” wrote a certain reporter, sitting in the stands at Suzanne-Lenglen. “Despite a late rally to force a deciding tiebreak, Murray and Evans were an inexperienced doubles pair and it showed in a 6-2 6-7 (5-7) (10/4) first-round defeat to Japan’s Kei Nishikori and Taro Daniel,” the draft continued, waiting to be sent.
That was on the first match point. Then came the next. And another. Until, somehow, Murray and Evans had saved all five, ripping up the reports that had already been written about them. Not yet. Not tonight. Instead, Murray extended his career and his final tournament at Paris 2024. Alongside Evans, the Team GB pairing produced one of the most remarkable escape acts to win 2-6 7-6 (7-5) (11/9) a unique scoreline to mark one of the most extraordinary matches of the 37-year-old Murray’s career,
When is Andy Murray playing at the Olympics?
Tuesday 30 July 2024 17:12
Jamie Braidwood
Murray will play his next match in the second round of the men’s doubles with Dan Evans on Tuesday 30 July. They will play in the fourth math of the day on Court Suzanne-Lenglen and could therefore expect to be in action at around 7:00pm BST, athough it could be slightly earlier of later depending on the matches that come before.
Murray and Evans will follow the doubles match involving Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, which started just after 4:30pm BST. The day’s schedule is progressing slowly, with two three-setters so far involving Jack Draper and Jasmine Paolini. Paolini’s defeat Anna Karolina Schmiedlova came in over two and a half hours.
Good evening
Tuesday 30 July 2024 17:09
Jamie Braidwood
Andy Murray earned himself one more match at the final tournament of his career after saving five match points in an incredible opening win alongside Dan Evans in the Olympics men’s doubles.
Murray extended his career in extraordinary fashion as he and Evans produced an incredible escape act and defeat Japan’s Kei Nishikori and Taro Daniel in a deciding tiebreak, 2-6 7-6 (7-5) (11/9).
The 37-year-old Murray, who has confirmed he is playing the final tournament of his career after withdrawing from the singles at Paris 2024, said the victory was one of his most memorable comebacks.
“I don’t think I’ve ever saved five match points in a row,” Murray said. “In singles it’s almost impossible to do that, so I don’t think I’ve ever done that before.”
Murray and Evans will play the Belgium pair of Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen, who are unseeded in the draw.
Follow all the build-up to the match in our live blog