Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal survived a big test from Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof to win 6-4 6-7(2) 10-2 and reach the quarter-finals at the Olympic Games.
It was a tough test from the Spanish duo but their mission for a gold medal continued with a three set win over the Dutch duo.
Unlike their first match, Alcaraz and Nadal were not broken once throughout the contest but still had to work hard for victory.
The Spaniards made their intentions clear from the start of the match as both Griekspoor and Koolhof were severely tested on serve.
After failing to convert their two break points in the third game, Alcaraz and Nadal eventually broke serve on their fourth break point for a 4-3 lead.
The duo then saved break point before wrapping up the opening set in emphatic fashion.
At the start of the second set both teams played with confidence as the doubles skillset of Griekspoor and in particular Koolhof saw them raise their level as they tested the Spaniards communication.
The returning of the Dutch pair improved and that was rewarded with two break points in the eighth game.
As expected Alcaraz and Nadal were clutch on the big points and managed to create three break points of their own.
However, Koolhof produced some big tennis in the important points as the second set would go to a tiebreak.
That’s when Koolhof took control as he played some exquisite points that even gained the plaudits of Nadal.
The Dutch duo won the tiebreak 7-2 to force a first to ten point match tiebreak.
In the end though Alcaraz and Nadal raised their level and were unstoppable in the final set winning ten of the twelve points required to seal their place in the quarter-finals.
Now the Spaniard are one match away from securing a medal match and will face fourth seeds Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram in the last eight.
