Nadal was well beaten in the singles by Novak Djokovic on Monday but his best chance of taking home silverware always looked to be in the doubles and the all-star duo duly delivered again.

In front of a raucous crowd on Court Suzanne Lenglen, Nadal and Alcaraz recovered from losing the second set against Dutch pair Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof to triumph 6-4 6-7 (2) (10/2).

Doubles novice Alcaraz, who defeated Griekspoor in singles on Monday, had looked like a fish out of water in the opening stages of their first match but he is clearly getting used to the format and the pair were electric in the deciding match tie-break.

They leapt into each other's arms after a final return landed in the net, with Nadal potentially playing at Roland Garros for the final time.

They need one more victory to guarantee a shot at a medal but their draw has not been easy and they look to have their work cut out next against American doubles specialists Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek.

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Finished ICC World Cup