Langkawi, Malaysia, April 28, 2018 – Russia’s Ksenia Dabizha/Daria Mastikova, Australia’s Phoebe Bell/Jessyka Ngauamo, Netherlands’ Katja Stam/Julia Wouters and the Czech Republic’s Martina Bonnerova/Tereza Pluharova are in the semifinals of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Langkawi Open.
The Russians, Australians and the Czechs seemed to have taken advantage of skipping the Round of 12, as they posted straight-set wins against their respective quarterfinal rivals at Pantai Cenang on Saturday.
Dabizha/Mastikova overpowered Japan’s Reika Murakami/Chiyo Suzuki 2-0 (21-18, 21-15), while Bell/Ngauamo outclassed Indonesia’s Dhita Juliana/Putu Utami 2-0 (21-16, 21-15).
Stam/Wouters are on an upward trend and are undefeated so far since the qualification round. The Dutch duo outshined their European neighbours Leonie Klinke/Lisa Sophie Kotzan of Germany 2-0 (22-20, 21-16).
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FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour - Langkawi
Bonnerova is on track to make it to the podium again in Langkawi, this time with Pluharova by her side, rallying from a first set loss to a 2-1 (20-22, 21-14, 15-13) win over top seeds Erika Bobadilla/Michelle Valiente of Paraguay.
The first semifinal match between Dabizha/Mastikova and Bell/Ngauamo will be on Sunday, April 29 at 11:00 local time, followed by the match between Stam/Wouters and Bonnerova/Pluharova at 12:00.