Once again in the final match Chen Xue and Xi Zhang met Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh but this time Chinese due took revenge for the last loss in Klagenfurt and won the first gold medal in this season.
As the season is drawing to the end we are witnesses of many tight matches which bring us a lot of emotions. Teams stay in contention to capture a few medals that remain to be handed out. The biggest determination at the Paf Open in Aland showed Chinese couple Xue/Zhang who finally climbed on the highest level of the podium. The number two seeds needed three sets to beat top-seeded Juliana/Larissa in the first semi-final letting slip one match point before a powerful Xue spike booked their place in the final. It meant the Chinese duo repeated their win over the Brazilians in the 2010 Paf Open final.
The final match composition was completed by May-Treanor/ Walsh after relatively straight forward win over Brazilians Talita/Maria. After being pushed close in the first set, they used all their experience to close out the game with the victory. Remarkably the United States duo have never before played in Aland.
Brazili’s Julaiana and Larissa came back on the podium as they defeated their compatriots Talita/Maria in the bronze medal match. “It is very hard to play other Brazilians, as we play each other many, many times.” Larissa said. “We felt bad about how we played yesterday and played much better today.”
The first set of the final match started more successfully for Xue/Zhang who took a few points advantage quite early to won 21-16. This significant loss in the opening part mobilized American couple and the second set was entirely over their control. However, as the tie-break began Chinese pair raced into an early lead to control the game till the last ball and eventually won the tournament.
Semifinal's results
Larissa/Juliana BRA [1] - Xue/Zhang Xi CHN [2] 1:2
(19:21, 21:17, 12:15)
Talita/Antonelli BRA [3] - May-Treanor/Walsh USA [4] 0:2
(20:22, 14:21)
Bronze medal match
Larissa/Juliana BRA [1] - Talita/Antonelli BRA [3] 2:1
(21:19, 18:21, 21:19)
Final match
Xue/Zhang Xi CHN [2] - May-Treanor/Walsh USA [4] 2:1
(21:16, 17:21, 15:9)
source: FIVB.org
