News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
PARIS – Texas A&M Athletics Hall of Famer Austin Krajicek and partner Rajeev Ram of the United States earned a shot at gold on Thursday after dispatching the Czechia’s Tomas Machac and Adam Pavlasek, 6-2, 6-2, in the semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics at Roland-Garros Stadium.
The first set was tightly contested until the Americans jumped out to a 40-love advantage in the sixth game hoping for a service break. Czechia battled back and fought off four break points, but Team USA prevailed and doubled its lead, 4-2. The momentum from the service break gave Krajicek and Ram all they needed to take the first frame, winning the set by a dominant score of 6-2.
The second set was much of the same, as the Americans continued to cruise and finished things off with another 6-2 victory. Team USA has only surrendered one service break in these Olympic Games.
Krajicek and Ram are looking to become just the third and fourth individuals to ever win a men’s doubles NCAA Division I Championship, Grand Slam and Olympic Gold Medal. Krajicek won his NCAA title in 2011 whole Ram captured his in 2003, while both have won at least one grand slam. They would join Bob and Mike Bryan who won gold at the 2012 Olympic Games, the 1998 NCAA Doubles Championship and multiple grand slams.
The Aggie now has a 7-2 record in Olympic play and has yet to drop a set in Paris as Krajicek and Ram approach the gold medal match where they are at least guaranteed silver. The Americans will play on Saturday for the gold. Time and opponent are to be determined.
Krajicek lettered for the Aggies from 2008-11 and was inducted into the Texas A&M Athletics Hall of Fame in 2021. He won the 2011 NCAA Doubles Championship and was a four-time doubles All-American. The Brandon, Florida, native won the 2023 French Open to claim the first Grand Slam Title of his career.
For more information on Olympic schedule and draws, visit Olympics.com. To view the broadcast schedule, refer to nbcolympics.com.