French Open: Oliver Marach and Alexander Peya already in the round of 16

Oliver Marach and Alexander Peya and their partners have reached the round of 16 in the double competition at the French Open 2018. The two Austrians each won in two sets.

By Jens Huiber from Paris

Alexander Peya and the Paris weather – that is an interesting story in 2018. Whenever the Austrian veteran meets up with his partner Nikola Mektic on the training grounds, it is midsummer temperatures. When matches are announced, the temperatures drop as if on acclamation.

This was also the case on Friday of the first week, when the eighth seeded pairing on court 9 had arranged a sporting exchange with their sports colleagues Nikoloz Basilashvili and John Millman. Peya/Mektic won 6:4 and 6:2 – also because Basilashvili was quickly identified as a weak point, especially in net play.

German Davis Cup captain Michael Kohlmann also visited his old buddy and former double partner Peya, and Peya/Mektic will also need moral support in the round of 16: There it goes against Raven Klaasen and Michael Venus. The latter, after all, defending champion. Venus won the French open 2017 alongside Ryan Harrison.

A few metres away as the crow flies, Oliver Marach and Mate Pavic had to struggle harder. The number-two pair of the tournament – in the ATP charts they are even at number one and two – was played by Yuki Bhambri and Divij Sharan from India. The first set was very tough, Marach and Pavic won 7:5.

Round two was rounder, an early break brought Marach/Pavic into the round of 16 with a 6:3 lead. There it goes either against Arevalo/Cerretani or Paire/Delbonis. Both tasks that Oliver Marach and Mate Pavic were to solve.