Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal begun their gold medal mission with a 7-6(4) 6-4 victory over Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni.
The Spaniards knocked out the sixth seeds with a straight sets win despite a nervy start.
It was a win that came after Alcaraz won his opening round in singles over Lebanon’s Hady Habib 6-3 6-1 on Suzanne Lenglen.
Alcaraz was match ready after his win earlier in the day while Nadal walked onto a thunderous Philippe Chatrier with a bandage on his thigh.
Despite that it was Alcaraz who was the more nervous as the Spaniards were broken in the opening game to the Argentinian’s, who were booed when walking onto court.
There was a strong retaliation from Nadal in particular who used his forehand to take advantage of some hesitant net play from Molteni as the duo broke back.
As the set grew on Alcaraz slowly gained confidence but needed Nadal’s doubles experience to bail him out as they saved multiple break points in the fifth game.
Clutch serving from the Spaniards meant the pressure was on the doubles specialists to force an opening tiebreak and the sixth seeds obliged.
A crucial net cord helped the Spaniards gain the early advantage for a 4-3 lead before they sealed the tiebreak 7-4.
In the second set it was Nadal who lacked confidence on serve as he was broken to love as the Argentinians took a 3-0 lead.
As predicted though, Alcaraz and Nadal continued to put pressure on the Argentinians as they broke back in the fifth game and created three break points in the seventh game.
Although the Argentinians survived the latest wave of pressure, Nadal and Alcaraz were too strong as they broke in the ninth game and served out the win.
Now Nadal has a first round singles match to concentrate on tomorrow against Marton Fucsovics as he looks to set up a second round clash with Novak Djokovic.
As for the doubles, the Spaniards will face Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof or Marton Fucsovics and Fabian Maroszan in the second round.
