Men's and women's beach volleyball competition continued on Sunday at the Paris Olympics at Eiffel Tower Stadium. Below are the details from each match.
Women's Round of 16: Switzerland def. China
The Swiss duo of Esmee Bobner/Zoe Verge-Depre defeated China's Chen Xue/Xinyi Xia in straight sets, 2-0.
Switzerland jumped out to a fast seven-point advantage to open the first set. China fought back to within one point until eventually tying the score at 21. Finally, on the seventh set point, Switzerland battled to defeat China, 29-27. The Swiss duo tallied 24 attacks in the first set alone.
The Swiss took a 7-3 lead to open the second set, but China kept it a close game throughout. Switzerland held on to win, 21-17.
Switzerland recorded six aces to help power the victory.
With the victory, Switzerland will advance through to the quarterfinals while China's run at the Paris Olympics ends.
Men's Round of 16: Germany def. Brazil
Germany's Nils Ehlers/Clemens Wickler are the first men’s duo to reach the quarterfinals. They knocked out Brazil's George/Andre in straight sets on Sunday, 21-16, 21-17.
In the first set, Germany escaped a 13-13 tie with a five-point run to make it 18-13. Ehlers and Wickler cruised to set point from there.
Brazil’s George and Andre gave Germany an intense fight in the second set, but simply could not hang on.
Wickler made it to the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Games in 2021 with then-partner Julius Thole, but the run ended there.
Men's Round of 16: Netherlands def. Czechia
Dutch duo Yorick de Groot/Stefan Boermans knocked off 2023 world champions David Schweiner/Ondrej Perusic of Czechia in straight sets, advancing to the men's quarterfinals.
De Groot/Boermans out-attacked Czechia by one and came up huge on the defensive side with 10 digs. The Dutch team outclassed Schweiner/Perusic in every big moment, proving they are one of the strongest teams in the men's bracket.
De Groot/Boermans now head to the quarterfinals in their first Olympic Games.
Men's Round of 16: Sweden def. Cuba
In one of the top matches of the Paris Games thus far, world No. 1 team David Ahman/Jonatan Hellvig of Sweden defeated Cuba’s Jorge Alayo/Noslen Diaz in a thrilling three sets to reach the men’s beach volleyball quarterfinals at Eiffel Tower Stadium.
It was an impressive win for Ahman/Hellvig, who overpowered a Cuban team riding a 3-0 Olympic winning streak. Both teams finished with an identical 36 points on the attack and pushed each other through the final set.
Ahman/Hellvig advance to the quarterfinals, riding an epic win against a team that was arguably the hottest in the men's field.
Women's Round of 16: Australia def. Brazil
Tokyo silver medalists Taliqua Clancy/Mariafe Artacho of Australia defeated Brazil’s Carol/Barbara in straight sets, 24-22, 21-14, to advanced to the beach volleyball quarterfinals.
The first set went back-and-forth, with each side making runs through the end of the set. Australia and Brazil traded points until Clancy took over and scored three straight Australia points to make the score 22-21.
Australia cruised in the second set after jumping out to a 9-4 lead, one it didn't give up. Clancy/Artacho looked strong in the impressive victory, advancing to the quarterfinals for the second straight Olympics.
Brazil's hopes to reach the women's podium in Paris solely rest on the shoulders of Ana Patricia/Duda, who face Japan tomorrow.
Women's Round of 16: Switzerland def. Spain
Switzerland’s Nina Brunner/Tanja Huberli beat Spain’s Liliana Fernandez/Paula Soria in straight sets in the Round of 16.
Brunner/Huberli, the 2023 European champions, out-attacked Spain by nine and put up an impressive 15 digs in the convincing win.
Switzerland won the first set in 23-21 fashion, but was able to create separation in the second, taking it 21-16.
After falling in the Round of 16 in Tokyo, the quarterfinal berth is a huge step for a Swiss side that looks to reach the podium in Paris.
Men's Round of 16: Brazil def. The Netherlands
The red-hot Brazilians Evandro/Arthur made quick work of Dutch duo Matthew Immers/Steven van de Velde to punch their ticket to the men’s beach volleyball quarterfinals.
Six aces from Brazil in the first set alone led to a comfortable 21-16 Set 1 win, and Evandro/Arthur carried that momentum into the second set.
The Brazilians outperformed the Dutch in nearly every statistical category, feeding of the crowd and using their chemistry to cruise for another 21-16 victory in the second set.
Evandro/Arthur’s synergy is at a high through four Olympic matches and they enter the quarterfinals as one of the top teams in the men’s field.
Women's Round of 16: USA def. Italy
U.S. duo Kelly Cheng/Sara Hughes punched their ticket to the Olympic beach volleyball quarterfinals, gutting out a gritty win against Italy’s Marta Menegatti/Valentina Gottardi in the Round of 16.
It wasn't easy for the gold medal hopefuls, but Cheng/Hughes – the 2023 world champions – survived a valiant effort from Menegatti/Gottardi.
The Cheng/Hughes will face Switzerland's Nina Brunner/Tanja Huberli in the quarterfinals.