In a mixed doubles tournament limited to sixteen teams, two wins were enough to reach the semi-finals. But Kristina Mladenovic and Nicolas Mahut, yet seeded No. 1, could not cross the first obstacle on Wednesday, eliminated from the start by the Russians Elena Vesnina and Aslan Karatsev (6-4, 6-2).
The French had not been varnished in the draw, falling on one of the only teams having (a little) prepared for the Olympic deadline (the mixed is only played in the Grand Slam tournaments). Vesnina and Karatsev indeed reached the final of the last Roland-Garros in this discipline.
Between the skills of Vesnina in doubles (she was world No. 1) and the precision of Karatsev’s strikes, the French, not powerful enough, never found the place to let their qualities of ex world No. 1 speak. double.
Nicolas Mahut was broken three times in his first four service games. And when Kristina Mladenovic also gave up her commitment, it was already 6-4, 3-0, double break for the Russians. By 1:09 am, the case was closed. Their Olympics are over.
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