Beach volleyball elite all in harmony on opening day in Austrian capital
World and Olympic champions all began the opening day of A1 Major Vienna presented by Swatch in fine voice by booking their spots in the elimination rounds.
Canada’s Melissa Humana-Paredes and Sarah Pavan, the reigning World Champions after their win in Hamburg three weeks ago, secured two victories to ensure they will play for a spot in the quarter-finals on Friday.
Their victims in the final in Hamburg, Americans Alix Klineman and April Ross – who won gold in Gstaad – also maintained a 100 per cent record to get through to the second knockout round.
Laura Ludwig. Remember her? Well the 2016 Olympic champion has had to qualify for the competition on her first return to Vienna since lifting the world title in 2017. Now, together with teammate Maggie Kozuch, the German star has battled through to the first elimination stage following the team’s gutsy three-set win over the Netherlands’ Sanne Keizer and Madeline Meppelink.
On the home front, Austrian teams struggled to impress the big crowds on the first day of pool play, but there was joy for the Viennese fans in the final match of the day on the Red Bull Beach Arena. Lena Plesiutschnig and Katharina Schützenhöfer overcame Germans Sandra Ittlinger and Chantal Laboureur with a brilliant 21-12, 21-12 to progress to the first elimination stage.
“After losing the first match in the day the pressure was on us to win and thankfully we did,” said Lena. “Not only was it an important victory but the way we won makes us even happier.
“The crowd plays such a big part when you’re playing your home tournament so we’re looking forward to our next match on Thursday.”
The men’s qualification came to a close on Wednesday, with the main draw action involving the top teams in the world beginning on Thursday.
Among those competing are recently-crowned world champions Viacheslav Krasilnikov and Oleg Stoyanovskiy. The Russians will take on Dutch qualifiers Christiaan Varenhorst and Steven van de Velde in the first match on the Red Bull Beach Arena at 9.30am CEST.
World number ones Anders Mol and Christian Sørum of Norway take on Austrian rising stars Martin Ermacora and Moritz Pristauz in the following match on the main court, as the Norwegian kick off what promises to be a fascinating men’s tournament. Can the Vikings repeat their famous win of 12 months ago?
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Vienna Major 2019
July 31 – August 4
#ViennaMajor
www.BeachMajorSeries.com
