Canada’s Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson are through to the quarterfinals of the Olympic women’s beach volleyball competition.
The Toronto duo upset Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss of the United States in straight sets (21-19, 21-18) Monday at Eiffel Tower Stadium in Paris.
Humana-Paredes and Wilkerson, ranked fourth in the tournament, posted a 1-2 record during preliminary play and needed a win over Czechia in a lucky-loser match to advance to the round of 16.
The second-ranked Kloth and Nuss, bronze medallists at last year’s world championship, entered the elimination round undefeated at 3-0.
After emerging victorious during a back-and-forth opening set, the Canadians took control early in the second jumping out to a 10-5 lead. The Americans rallied to close within a point on three occasions but could not complete the comeback to force a third set.
The Canadians will play Daniela Alvarez and Tania Moreno of Spain in the quarterfinals.
Canadian beach volleyball duo, Sarah Pavan and Melissa Humana-Paredes, have advanced to the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympics after defeating the Australian team of Mariafe Artacho del Solar and Taliqua Clancy in a thrilling match.
Pavan and Humana-Paredes, who are ranked number one in the world, showed their dominance on the sand with their strong serves and impeccable defense. The Canadian duo took the first set 21-15, but the Australians fought back in the second set, forcing a tiebreaker.
In the deciding set, Pavan and Humana-Paredes showed their mental toughness and composure under pressure, pulling away to win 15-9 and secure their spot in the quarterfinals.
This victory marks a significant milestone for the Canadian team, as they continue their quest for Olympic gold. Pavan and Humana-Paredes have been in top form throughout the tournament, winning all of their matches so far and showcasing their chemistry and teamwork on the court.
The duo will now face off against the winner of the match between the Russian Olympic Committee team and the Swiss team in the quarterfinals. With their strong performance so far, Pavan and Humana-Paredes are considered strong contenders for a medal in Tokyo.
Canadian beach volleyball fans are eagerly anticipating the next match as Pavan and Humana-Paredes continue to make their mark on the international stage. The duo’s success is a testament to their hard work and dedication to their sport, and they are sure to put on a show in the quarterfinals as they strive for Olympic glory.