Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal did not disappoint in their much-anticipated doubles debut as they battled through to the second round of the Paris Olympic Games.

The Spaniards saw off Argentinian pair Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni in straight sets 7-6 (6-4) 6-4 in one hour and 49 minutes on Saturday.

Alcaraz, who began the day with a victory in his singles debut, made a nervy start as he dropped his first serve, but Nadal soon helped to settle the nerves.

They got the vital break in the next game, though there was little to separate the teams after that with a tie-break necessary to put Alcaraz and Nadal in front.

Gonzalez and Molteni rallied in the second set, racing into a 3-0 lead, but could not prevent a fight back as Alcaraz and Nadal won the next three games.

After another vital break for the Spaniards at 4-4, Nadal then served out the match to set up a meeting with either Dutch pair Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof or Marton Fucsovics and Fabian Marozsan of Hungary.

Data Debrief: Living up to expectations

It is the match-up that everybody was waiting for at the Olympics, and despite a sluggish start, Alcaraz and Nadal soon turned on the style.

They hit 17 winners, and even though Alcaraz's first service game was not his usual best, they went on to win 46 of their 64 service points (72%).

Victor Wembanyama says he "knew it was going to be a good day" after starring for France in their 78-66 victory over Brazil in Group B.

Despite a slow start by the hosts, which saw them trailing early in the second quarter, Wembanyama helped to steady their nerves in Lille.

The NBA Rookie of the Year last season came away with 19 points, nine rebounds, four steals and three blocked shots as he inspired his nation in front of a sell-out crowd.

France did not fully seal the victory until late on though, with Nicolas Batum's 3-pointer putting them up by 10 with less than a minute and a half remaining before Wembanyama's dunk made sure of the points in the next possession.

"I knew it was going to be a good day," he said.

"You can't underestimate the power of the crowd, the home crowd. I think it's really going to be the sixth man for this whole tournament."

Meanwhile, team-mate Evan Fournier was quick to heap praise on the 20-year-old after the game.

"I think he did pretty damn good," he said. "He can do so many things that sometimes it's like a burden because he doesn't focus on just one thing."

France will face Japan in their second game of Group B on Tuesday before their final match against Germany. 

Andy Murray says winning the gold medal at the London Olympic Games in 2012 was the pinnacle of his career.

The Scot is playing in his final tournament at this year's Games in Paris and will be competing in doubles alongside Dan Evans.

Murray is playing in his fifth Olympics and is the only male two-time gold medallist in singles having also taken the top prize at Rio 2016.

He beat Roger Federer on home soil in straight sets in 2012, avenging a Wimbledon final defeat on the same court from a month earlier, before successfully defending his title four years later against Novak Djokovic.

Murray also won three grand slams in his career, triumphing twice at Wimbledon and at the US Open, but he said claiming gold for Team GB is the best achievement of his career.

"Winning the gold medal and obviously the silver in London is probably a big highlight," Murray told Eurosport. "Obviously Wimbledon was amazing but the way I felt that week [in London] meant the most to me.

"I don't always like it on the court, I do find competing very stressful, but that week, I was so happy. I really enjoyed the whole week.

"It is once in a lifetime to compete in an Olympics at home, and you know you're not going to get that opportunity again. Certainly made the most of it.

"I was lucky to win a couple of medals and we were really close to getting gold in the mixed as well.

"I did feel good going into that whole week I played. I felt like I was playing really, really well. I wasn't certainly sure I would win the final against Federer, but it was one of the best matches I've ever played, to be honest.

"Everything seemed to click that week. I don't know why that was the case. But I wish I could have played like that more often."

Following an injury-hit year, Murray will not be able to complete a hat-trick of gold medals in the singles, having withdrawn from that competition.

Now, the 37-year-old is determined to make the most of his final-ever tournament as he aims for glory at Roland Garros for the first time.

"I've been really lucky," Murray explained. "Athletes don't always acknowledge that side of things, but you need a lot of luck to hang around for that long.

"There have been some amazing athletes who have played in five, six Olympics. I'm glad to do it one more time.

"It's really different. It's amazing how just the change in the colours of the background can affect the feel of a place. Obviously, really familiar with Roland Garros and being in Paris, but the Olympics bring a different atmosphere.

"We experienced that in London. It wasn't how Wimbledon usually is. It was a very different feel. I love that. And I hope the French people come out and support and create a brilliant atmosphere there."

Fermin Lopez and Alex Baena were on target as Spain beat 10-man Dominican Republic 3-1 to seal their place in the men's quarter-finals at the Olympic Games with a match to spare.

Miguel Gutierrez also struck for La Roja, who made it two wins from two in Group C at Stade de Bordeaux, where their opponents played over half of the game with 10 players following Edison Azcona's red card.

Santi Denia's side opened their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Uzbekistan at Parc des Princes on Wednesday, and the first goal of this contest was handed to them on a plate in the 24th minute.

Fermin ruthlessly pounced on Enrique Boesl's tame pass out of goal, with the Barcelona midfielder calmly slotting home.

The Dominican Republic levelled 13 minutes later through Angel Montes de Oca's free header, but they were reduced to 10 men just before half-time with Azcona dismissed for violent conduct after lashing out at Pau Cubarsi.

Spain capitalised on their numerical advantage through Alex Baena's deflected strike in the 55th minute before substitute Gutierrez sealed the points 15 minutes later by tapping into an empty net, with the goal eventually standing following a VAR review. 

Data Debrief: La Roja roar into quarter-finals

Spain dominated large periods of the contest with 21 shots to their opponents' five and, playing the entire second half with an extra player, their superiority eventually told.

Silver medallists in Tokyo three years ago, La Roja have progressed from the group stage of consecutive Games for the first time since a run of three straight qualifications between 1992 and 2000.

Argentina got their Group B campaign at the Olympics up and running with a 3-1 victory over Iraq, with Thiago Almada, Luciano Gondou and Ezequiel Fernandez scoring.

Javier Mascherano's side made a losing start against Morocco on Wednesday, going down by a 2-1 scoreline in a chaotic match that featured almost 20 minutes of second-half stoppage time and a two-hour delay due to crowd trouble.

They bounced back against Iraq despite Aymen Hussein cancelling out Almada's opener, with Gondou and Fernandez on target in the second half in a deserved victory.

Argentina hit the front after 14 minutes as Julian Alvarez improvised to chest a deflected cross down to Almada, who lashed into the bottom-left corner on the volley. 

But Iraq grew into the contest and got their reward five minutes into first-half stoppage time, Hussein getting across his marker to nod Ahmed Maknzi's cross into the far corner.

Argentina were in the ascendency throughout the second half, though, restoring their lead shortly after the hour mark. Iraq goalkeeper Hussein Hasan got caught under Kevin Zenon's cross as Gondou headed home at the far post.

They wrapped up the points when Fernandez scored the pick of the goals with five minutes remaining, the midfielder curling a left-footed shot into the top-left corner after clever play from Almada and Zenon.

The Albiceleste, Iraq and Morocco are now all level on three points with one game remaining, with Ukraine pointless ahead of facing the Atlas Lions later on Saturday.

Data Debrief: Almada pulls the strings

Almada was part of Argentina's 2022 World Cup-winning squad and attracted plenty of admiring glances from European clubs while with Atlanta United, only to join Botofogo for an MLS-record fee earlier this month.

The Brazilian giants have every right to be pleased with their purchase.

As well as firing in the opener on Saturday, Almada managed a game-high three chances created and 30 passes in the final third. A sumptuous backheel in the build-up to Fernandez's goal provided another glimpse of his quality. 

Surinamese badminton player Sören Opti’s Paris Olympic campaign got off to a losing start as he was defeated two games to nil by China’s Yu Qi Shi in Group A play at La Chapelle Arena Court 2 on Saturday.

Shi won both games comfortably with scores of 21-5 and 21-7, respectively, including separate streaks on nine and seven points won in a row.

The first game saw the Chinese win 17 points on serve before winning 15 in the second.

Opti is an Olympian who represented Suriname in the 2016 Rio Olympics and was selected for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but had to withdraw due to a positive Covid-19 result.

The 27-year-old is a six-time national singles champion of Suriname.

He will face Italian Giovanni Toti on July 29 in his second group stage outing.

Novak Djokovic began his latest Olympic gold medal bid with a statement victory over Australia's Matthew Ebden at Roland-Garros.

The 24-time major winner took just 53 minutes to wrap up a comprehensive 6-0 6-1 rout on Court Philippe-Chatrier, to set up a potential second-round clash with Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic won bronze on his Olympic debut in 2008, but missed out on a medal after finishing fourth in 2012 and 2020, while he was beaten in round one in Rio by eventual silver medallist Juan Martin del Potro eight years ago.

However, there was no danger of a repeat of the latter this time around. The Serb took just 24 minutes to wrap up a dominant first set, in which he bageled his helpless opponent.

Ebden remained in positive spirits despite his ordeal. At one stage, he offered his racquet to the crowd, who gave him a wonderful reception when he won his first game of the contest at the 11th attempt.

Nevertheless, it only briefly delayed the inevitable, with Djokovic cruising to the finish line.

Data Debrief: Dominant Djokovic soars into second round

There was no messing around from the 24-time major winner on Saturday, as he was done and dusted in just under an hour at Roland-Garros.

He converted six of his nine break-point opportunities, while winning 14 of 19 net points (74%).

The identity of his second-round opponent is still to be decided, but we could well see a blockbuster clash with Nadal.

Jamaican Judoka Ashley McKenzie has been eliminated from the men’s 60kg Judo competition at the Paris Olympics at the Round of 16 stage after suffering a 1-0 loss to Turkey’s Salih Yildiz.

Yildiz secured a 1-0 victory over the Great Britain-born Jamaican by throwing a kata-guruma, one of the traditional forty throws of Judo.

McKenzie made history earlier on Saturday with his 10-0 win over Yemen’s Hesham Makabr in preliminary rounds, his first Olympic win competing for the land of wood and water.

Paris kicked off the 2024 Olympic Games by making history with the first opening ceremony to be held outside on a rainy night in France.

It is the first time in 100 years that the Games have been held in the French capital, and despite the constant showers, thousands of Olympians from the 205 delegations celebrated as they travelled down the River Seine on boats and barges.

During the nearly four-hour sprawling ceremony, spectators were treated to performances by Lady Gaga, Aya Nakamura and Celine Dion as the city showed off the story of France while commemorating Olympic history.

On a tour of the city, Paris' most well-known landmarks, including the Louvre and Notre Dame Cathedral, were on show as fans packed in around the parade route to get a glimpse of the showcase.

The Olympic flag was delivered to the Eiffel Tower on the back of a mechanical horse travelling down the river, while a masked individual carried the torch across the city.

An incredible light show on the Tower then restarted the torch relay, as Zinedine Zidane reappeared to hand it to two-time gold medallist Rafael Nadal.

The Spaniard, with the help of fellow tennis icon Serena Williams, American sprinter Carl Lewis and Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci carried the torch back down the river on its way to the cauldron.

Some of France's best Olympians helped carry it the rest of the way before judoka Teddy Riner and sprinter Marie-Jose Perec lit the flame in the hot air balloon cauldron, which rose high above the Parisian sky, to officially mark the start of the Games.

More than 10,500 athletes will compete across 32 sports at the Games, which will close on August 11.

Trinidadian four-time Olympic medallist Ato Boldon has named Jamaican sprinting sensation Kishane Thompson as his favourite to take 100m gold at the Olympic Games in Paris.

Thompson, 23, is currently the world leader in the event after running a personal best 9.77 to win the 100m title at the JAAA/Puma National Senior Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston in June.

The MVP Track Club-trained sprinter also produced times of 9.82 and 9.84 in the heats and semi-finals, respectively, at those national championships and, most recently, ran 9.91 shutting down to win at the Gyulai Istvan Memorial in Hungary on July 9.

“Thompson is the favourite,” Boldon said in an interview with LetsRundotcom on YouTube on Friday.

“I know Noah (Lyles) is the World champion. I think Noah made it a little bit more interesting by running that 9.81 into a headwind which kind of almost converts to a 9.77 but there’s no way you can look at the way in which Thompson ran that 9.77 and just go ‘Oh Noah will beat him.’ Noah has his hands full with that guy,” Boldon said.

Blazing speed acknowledged, one thing that Thompson lacks that his other competitors don’t is experience competing at the highest level of the sport with this being his first time representing Jamaica at any level.

If there is anything to prevent Thompson from delivering on the form that he’s shown so far this season, Boldon believes that would be this lack of experience on a stage like the Olympic Games compared to his peers.

“There are things which I see people completely ignoring. Kishane Thompson has not been under the microscope of Olympic favourite. Rounds are a great equalizer. Noah has the medals that he does because of how well he runs rounds. Is Noah suddenly a lock for the silver? No but he does have his hands full,” he said.

“There are others who are going to be in the 100m that are used to the pressure and pressure is a big thing. If he’s able to pull this off, you write books about stuff like that,” he added.

 Thompson's quest for Olympic glory will begin in the heats of the men's 100m beginning on Saturday' August 3.

In what is hoped will be a memorable year for Jamaican track and field star Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the legendary sprinter has announced the launch of her new hair care line, AFIMI. The announcement comes as Fraser-Pryce prepares to compete in her final Olympic Games, aiming to make history by winning a record-extending fifth Olympic 100m medal in Paris.

Fraser-Pryce, 37, has faced injury challenges over the past few years and has only had four races this season, three of which were at the Jamaican national championships in late June. Despite her limited time on the track, her entrepreneurial spirit continues to thrive. The three-time Olympic gold medalist shared the news of her latest venture on Instagram, posting a video that features her running on a track, enjoying the beach, and proudly standing beside her products, all while wearing various hairstyles that showcase the versatility of her yet-to-be-released hair care line.

In her Instagram post, Fraser-Pryce, adorned in Jamaican colors, is seen wearing braids, lace front wigs, and other styles, emphasizing the multi-use nature of AFIMI products. The caption reads, “Hair is your most powerful form of self-expression and has been an exciting way to reinvent myself every time I step on the track. From the main stage to the finish line, my hair has helped me set the tone for many fearless victories. That’s why it’s so important that it gets the care it needs. I’ve designed these products with you in mind to keep your hair feeling and performing its best no matter what comes your way. This line is a vibrant tribute to Jamaica, inspired by its lush resources and welcoming essence — each ingredient naturally sourced from the earth to enhance your natural beauty. AFIMI, It’s for you, no matter who you are.”

Fraser-Pryce is no stranger to making bold statements with her hair. Whether at the World Athletics Championships or the Olympic Games, she has consistently used her hair to express her vibrant personality and Jamaican pride. At the 2019 World Championships in Doha, Qatar, she won her fourth world championship gold medal in the 100 meters with a stunning rainbow-dyed hairstyle. In 2022, she claimed her record fifth world 100m title in Eugene, Oregon, while sporting a beautiful blonde look with green and yellow highlights.

At the 2023 World Athletics Championships, she left fans speechless with a striking orange wig featuring elements of hot pink during her first 100m heat. Similarly, at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, she wore a yellow-to-orange ombre wig while taking home the silver medal in the women’s 100m race.

Fraser-Pryce's love for hair dates back to 2013 when she launched Chic Hair Ja, a store that retailed virgin human hair and hair care products in Kingston. The store enjoyed a successful run until 2017. That same year, she revamped and rebranded her hair care line to Lady Shelly, adding natural products to the lineup. Lady Shelly featured products made in Jamaica with natural ingredients, catering to all hair textures and positioning itself as a multicultural hair care line.

As Fraser-Pryce prepares for her final Olympic Games, fans are eagerly anticipating not only her performance on the track but also the stylish hair looks she will undoubtedly bring to Paris. With AFIMI, she continues to inspire and empower, showing that her influence extends far beyond the world of athletics.

Adam Peaty insists he arrives in Paris ready to "attack" a third-straight Olympic triumph in the 100m breaststroke

Peaty, who is a 16-time European Champion, won his first gold medal for Team GB in 2016, the first by a British male in 24 years, and has held the title ever since. 

He became the first British swimmer ever to retain an Olympic title in Tokyo, and is eyeing a hat-trick of titles. 

The 29-year-old also holds the world records in both the 50m and 100m breaststroke, yet getting to the Paris Olympics was far from straightforward. 

From 2014 to 2022, Peaty was unstoppable, breaking the 100m record on five occasions while also claiming several world, European and Commonwealth titles. 

But with the world at his feet, things came crashing down. In fact, was it not for this Olympics, he may never have returned to the pool.

“If it wasn’t for the Olympics I don’t think I’d be still swimming,” Peaty told Eurosport. “I’m going to attack for this title, not defend.

“I think I’ve cracked the code of balance, but also being able to train really hard for very long periods of time, knowing when I burn out or I’m pushing too hard, and listening to my team at the same time.

“So I think this is my favourite time to train but I also had to take three or four months off from the sport completely because I burned out.

“It cost me that kind of training period, but without that I would have just done the same old stuff and probably wouldn’t have even made it to the Olympics or the Olympic qualifiers, because I’d have completely burned out from the sport.

“People see the end result, they’ll see you race or compete at the end of the day, but they won’t see the years and years and years of hard mornings, hard evenings, thousands of metres, gym sessions in the freezing cold.

“People don’t see that stuff, they only see the 1%, if that. It’s 0.1%.”

But in Peaty's absence, a new force has taken the pool by storm, with China’s Qin Haiyang establishing himself as the dominant force.

Haiyang won the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke at the 2023 World Championships, becoming the second-fastest man in 100m history behind Peaty.

Peaty returned to claim bronze at the World Championships this year and then won the British trials in April in a time of 57.94s.

“I’ve been given a gift that I put myself in extreme pain for a very long time and quite enjoy it,” he continued. “Not many people can do that.

“I enjoy the hard work because it keeps me busy. It has to be hard all the time.

“That’s the most powerful thing. You don’t do it for the Olympic glory, you don’t do it for the medals, you do it to recognise the gift that you’ve been given.

“If I know I’ve worked the hardest and I get to the start line at the Olympics and I couldn’t have done anything more that gives me peace, because win or lose you’ll be happy because you’ve enjoyed the journey.”

Haitian swimmer Alex Grand'Pierre believes his Olympic team will be the best-dressed at tonight's Opening Ceremony for the 2024 Paris Olympics after receiving his stunning outfit, designed by celebrated Italian designer Stella Jean. Known for her vibrant and culturally rich creations, Stella Jean, who has partial Haitian heritage, has crafted an ensemble that has left Grand'Pierre and his teammates in awe.

In an Instagram reel, Grand'Pierre revealed the colourful outfit, which includes pants inspired by Haitian artwork titled "The Passage," a matching scarf, and black and white shoes. Overwhelmed with excitement, he exclaimed, "I think we might win Best Dressed."

Addressing Stella Jean directly in his post, Grand'Pierre said, "You knocked it out of the park! I am so excited to wear this outfit. Actually seeing it in person and knowing that I am going to be wearing it tomorrow (Friday), I'm super, super excited. My first Olympics, but to be wearing this, it feels super special, so thank you for your incredible design."

Jean, renowned for her work that often reflects her diverse heritage, will personally dress the Haitian athletes competing in the games. Her designs are expected to capture the attention of spectators and fellow athletes alike, showcasing the rich cultural tapestry of Haiti.

A senior at Bowdoin College, Grand'Pierre is a multi-time New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) champion, an NCAA Division III All-American, and a Haitian record holder.

He qualified for the Paris Games in the 100m breaststroke following a first-place finish (1:02.39) at the Central American and Caribbean Swimming Championships (CCCAN) in June. His event's competition begins on July 27th at the Paris Aquatics Centre.

Grand'Pierre follows in the footsteps of his older sisters, Naomy (2016 Rio Games) and Emilie (2020 Tokyo Games). Naomy is now the coach for the Haitian swim team.

The opening ceremony is set to get underway just after noon (Jamaica time); 1 pm EST.

With the 2024 Paris Olympics on the horizon, two-time Olympic 200m gold medalist Veronica Campbell-Brown has extended her heartfelt best wishes to participating athletes. Campbell-Brown, the most decorated Jamaican female athlete, took to Instagram to share her support and encouragement for the athletes.

In her illustrious career, Campbell-Brown, who competed in five Olympic Games, clinched gold in the 200m at both the Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Olympics, becoming a national icon and a source of inspiration for many. Now retired and a mother of two, she continues to be a beacon of support for Jamaica's sporting community.

In her Instagram post, Campbell-Brown wrote, "To all the incredible athletes competing at the Paris Olympics, I wish you the very best. You have trained tirelessly for this moment. Compete with grit, savour every step of the journey, and know that you are crafting memories that will last a lifetime and inspiring the next generation. Go for gold!"

Having competed at five Olympic Games starting in 2000 in Sydney and concluding in Rio 2016, her message resonates deeply with fans and athletes alike, reminding them of the significance of their hard work and dedication. As a revered figure in Jamaican athletics, the now 42-year-old Campbell-Brown’s words carry immense weight and serve as a powerful motivator for the athletes preparing to compete on the world stage.

The Paris Olympics holds special meaning for the Jamaican team, not only because of the legacy left by athletes like Campbell-Brown but also because of the rich history and pride associated with their participation in the Games. The team, comprising seasoned competitors and promising newcomers, is expected to perform with the same tenacity and excellence that has characterized Jamaican athletics for decades.

As the athletes gear up for their events, Campbell-Brown’s encouragement adds to the wave of support from fans and well-wishers back home. Her legacy as one of the greatest sprinters in history with eight Olympic medals to her name, and her continued involvement in the sport ensure that her influence remains strong, inspiring current and future generations of athletes.

As the world eagerly anticipates the start of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Jamaica and France have marked the occasion with a significant step towards enhancing their bilateral relations in the field of sport. On July 24, the Honourable Olivia Grange, Jamaica's Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, and His Excellency Olivier Guyonvarch, the Ambassador of France in Jamaica, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Bilateral Cooperation in Sport.

Minister Grange highlighted the symbolic timing of the agreement, stating, “It is certainly significant that it is happening at the time of the 2024 Olympics in the French capital, Paris. It embodies the importance of sport in establishing cooperation and friendship between the two countries."

The agreement outlines several areas of cooperation aimed at enhancing both nations' sports capabilities. One key aspect of the MOU is the sharing of experiences and the development of joint initiatives in sports. This includes promoting common standards for organizing major sporting events and developing high sports performance through the exchange of best practices, coaching training, and research.

Additionally, the agreement focuses on boosting the sports economy and sports tourism in both countries by sharing valuable information and insights. A significant emphasis is also placed on promoting sports ethics, with both nations committing to collaborate in the fight against doping.

Minister Grange commended the diligent efforts of Ambassador Guyonvarch and the teams from both the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, in finalizing the MOU. She also referenced the ongoing friendship between Jamaica and France, demonstrated by events like the "2024 Road to Paris Olympics," which featured a symbolic relay baton passed globally and included French students from schools across Jamaica.

The MOU also aims to facilitate exchanges in seminars, conferences, and symposia involving experts in various sports disciplines such as fencing, rugby, handball, athletics, canoe-kayak/sprint, sailing, and skateboarding, among others.

Ambassador Guyonvarch expressed his enthusiasm about the agreement, stating, “On the eve of the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, the signing of this MOU on sports cooperation is a milestone in our bilateral relations, being the most ambitious and comprehensive agreement between our two countries in a strategic field of excellence. The implementation of this agreement, initiated by the Centre for Research on Sports Performance of Guadeloupe and the Faculty of Sports of UWI, will allow us to develop sports science, new practices, and more intense human exchanges between our two countries.”

The follow-up on the cooperation outlined in the MOU will be ensured by a Bilateral Steering Committee, which will meet annually in either of the two countries, ensuring that the goals and initiatives set forth are actively pursued and achieved.

This agreement not only strengthens the bond between Jamaica and France but also paves the way for enhanced sports performance, education, and ethical standards in both nations, promising a bright future for sports collaboration and excellence.