Russians shock Chinese in tight opener
Source: Agencies |
July 29, 2012, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A PAIR of Russian newcomers upset Beijing bronze medallists Zhang Xi and Xue Chen of China in a close Olympic women's beach volleyball opener yesterday that set pulses racing.
The surprise result spiced up the first day of competition, in which the top attraction will be a clash between double gold medallists Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh of the United States and Australians Natalie Cook and Tamsin Hinchley.
Low-ranked Anastasia Vasina and Anna Vozakova beat the Chinese pair, who are among the favorites to win gold in London, in three sets.
"We won't look back on this match. I wear a lucky jade necklace but it wasn't lucky for me today," said Zhang.
The Chinese still have a chance for a medal as the tournament starts with a pool stage before progressing to a knockout phase.
"The atmosphere was perfect and we are really enjoying London. We just need to focus," said Xue.
Beach volleyball is scored using a best-of-three-sets system.
The first two sets are played to 21 points and if each team wins one, a third set is played to 15 points.
All sets require a two-point advantage to win.
Vasina and Vozakova beat Zhang and Xue 2-1 (18-21, 21-14, 16-14).
The Olympic beach volleyball event is being staged at Horse Guards Parade, a vast esplanade in the heart of London's government district of Whitehall.
The venue is right next to No. 10 Downing Street, official residence of British prime ministers, and a stone's throw from Buckingham Palace.
The surprise result spiced up the first day of competition, in which the top attraction will be a clash between double gold medallists Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh of the United States and Australians Natalie Cook and Tamsin Hinchley.
Low-ranked Anastasia Vasina and Anna Vozakova beat the Chinese pair, who are among the favorites to win gold in London, in three sets.
"We won't look back on this match. I wear a lucky jade necklace but it wasn't lucky for me today," said Zhang.
The Chinese still have a chance for a medal as the tournament starts with a pool stage before progressing to a knockout phase.
"The atmosphere was perfect and we are really enjoying London. We just need to focus," said Xue.
Beach volleyball is scored using a best-of-three-sets system.
The first two sets are played to 21 points and if each team wins one, a third set is played to 15 points.
All sets require a two-point advantage to win.
Vasina and Vozakova beat Zhang and Xue 2-1 (18-21, 21-14, 16-14).
The Olympic beach volleyball event is being staged at Horse Guards Parade, a vast esplanade in the heart of London's government district of Whitehall.
The venue is right next to No. 10 Downing Street, official residence of British prime ministers, and a stone's throw from Buckingham Palace.
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