Xiamen, China, April 21, 2017 - The FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour resumed Thursday with the qualification round of the double-gender Xiamen Open at Guanyinshan Gold Beach.
Brazil’s Maria Antonelli/Carol Horta fought off jetlag to win their opening match against Belgium’s Katrien Gielen/Liesbeth Mouha (21-10, 18-21, 15-13).
Spanish duo Amaranta Fernández/Angela Lobato likewise won the tiebreak in their qualification match against Romania.
Australia’s Mariafe Artacho and Brittany Kendall talked about a great start to the season after winning against New Zealand’s Julia Tilley/Alice Bain in straight sets (21-11, 21-15).
French team Youssef Krou/Quincy Aye delighted in their 2-1 win against Norway’s Daniel Bergerud/Svein Solhaug to enter the men’s main draw on Friday.
Austria’s Martin Ermacora/Moritz Pristauz-Telsnigg talked about their fondest memories of Xiamen as they won their qualification match.
Switzerland’s Mico Gerson/Michiel survived on a mix of hard work and lucky breaks to win against Turkey’s Murat Giginoglu/Safa Urlu (19-21, 21-16, 15-13),
And will hope to extend their fortune against favourites Paolo Nicolai/Daniele Lupo in their main draw match on Friday.
The Rio 2016 silver medallist looks forward to starting the season,
As with Czech Republic’s Kristyna Kolocova/Michala Kvapilová, who are set to face Turkey’s Esra Betul Cetin/Merve Nezir in Friday’s main draw.
Not even the weather forecast can hamper high spirits,
And high levels of anticipation for Xiamen’s fifth straight year in the World Tour.