In a commanding performance on Court Simonne-Mathieu, American duo Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram overwhelmed Czech pair Tomas Machac and Adam Pavlasek to secure their place in the Men’s Doubles final at Roland-Garros. The semi-final match, held on Thursday, 1 August 2024, was a one-sided affair as Krajicek and Ram, seeded fourth, swept past their opponents in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2. The match lasted just over an hour, with Krajicek and Ram showcasing their experience and synergy to outplay the Czechs in every aspect of the game.
First Set: Establishing Dominance
The first set saw Krajicek and Ram establish their dominance early on. They took control with their powerful serves and precise returns, winning the set 6-2. The American duo’s serving was particularly impressive, with Krajicek and Ram landing 86% of their first serves and converting them into points with a 68% success rate. In contrast, Machac and Pavlasek struggled with their first serve, managing only 52% accuracy. This disparity allowed the Americans to win 28 points to the Czechs’ 19.
Krajicek and Ram’s aggressive play at the net and strong baseline shots forced Machac and Pavlasek into making numerous errors. The Czech pair committed 10 forced errors and 6 unforced errors, while Krajicek and Ram remained steady, with only 3 unforced errors. The Americans’ ability to win nearly half of their receiving points (48%) further highlighted their dominance in the set.
Second Set: Closing Out with Confidence
The second set followed a similar pattern, with Krajicek and Ram maintaining their high level of play. They secured the set 6-2 once again, wrapping up the match in just 1 hour and 1 minute. This set saw Krajicek and Ram serve 3 aces and win 50% of their receiving points, putting constant pressure on Machac and Pavlasek, who were unable to mount a comeback.
Krajicek and Ram’s first serve percentage dropped slightly to 53%, but they still managed to win 9 out of 10 points on their first serve. Their second serve was equally effective, winning 89% of those points. Machac and Pavlasek improved their first serve accuracy to 77%, but it was not enough to overcome the relentless pressure from the Americans.
The Czech pair’s struggle to break the American serve was evident as they failed to convert any break points, while Krajicek and Ram capitalized on their opportunities, converting 2 out of 2 break points. The American duo’s consistency and strategic play resulted in fewer errors, with only 3 unforced errors compared to Machac and Pavlasek’s 5.
Match Statistics: A Comprehensive Victory
Overall, Krajicek and Ram’s performance was marked by superior serving, effective net play, and fewer mistakes. They served a total of 5 aces compared to Machac and Pavlasek’s 3 and committed only 1 double fault. The Americans’ first serve percentage was 71%, and they won 92% of their second serve points. In total points, Krajicek and Ram won 55 to the Czechs’ 33.
Their ability to convert break points was a key factor in their victory, with Krajicek and Ram converting 4 out of 9 break points, while Machac and Pavlasek failed to convert any of their opportunities. The American pair’s dominance was further underscored by their 23 receiving points won, compared to the Czechs’ 9.
Krajicek and Ram’s strategic play forced their opponents into making 20 forced errors and 11 unforced errors, while they themselves made only 6 unforced errors. This disciplined and aggressive approach ensured their comprehensive victory and a well-deserved spot in the finals.
