Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alacaraz launch Olympics doubles bid in style

Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz talk during their first-round doubles match (Martin Rickett/PA)

Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz launched their blockbuster partnership in style with victory over sixth seeds Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni at Roland Garros.

Fresh from his starring role at the opening ceremony, Nadal was back doing what he does best on the stage he knows so well as he and Alcaraz claimed a 7-6 (4) 6-4 first-round victory in the men’s doubles.