Early morning matches on Center Court gave us two new winners and set up an epic pair of semifinals scheduled for 2:30PM ET and 3:30PM ET.

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Today’s quarterfinals kicked off at 9AM with an all Dutch showdown - Alexander Brouwer and Robert Meeuwsen took on fellow country-men Reinder Nummerdor & Christiaan Varenhorst on Center Court. These two teams spare often, even training together during the season and it definitely showed as the defense was incredible in this match. In the end, Alexander/Robert defeated Reinder/Christiaan in two sets (21-19, 21-14) with their consistent side-out game and minimal hitting errors. Brouwer/Meeuwsen advance to the semi-finals at 3:30PM ET and will face the local American heroes of Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena who are undefeated going into the semis.

Photocredit: Joerg Mitter

Our second quarterfinal featured the #1 team in the world, Brazil’s Alison/Bruno taking on Italy’s feature team of Nicolai/Lupo. This match was dangerously close and both teams had a strong defensive strategy going into it. Italian Lupo and Brazilian Bruno are known for their ability to cover the entire court with their speed and vision. It showed this morning as both played incredibly efficiently through two close games. In the end, it was Brazil that came out victorious over Italy in three nail-biting sets (20-22, 21-19, 15-10). They advance to the semifinals at 2:30PM ET and will face their country-mates Evandro and Pedro who are undefeated in these Swatch Beach Volleyball FIVB World Tour Finals.

Four Matches Remain Today:

Women’s Semifinals
11:00 a.m. - Talita Antunes/Larissa Franca, Brazil vs. Heather Bansley/Sarah Pavan, Canada
1:00 p.m. - Laura Ludwig/Kira Walkenhorst, Germany vs. Agatha Bednarczuk/Barbara Seixas, Brazil

Men’s Semifinals
2:30 p.m. - Evandro Goncalves/Pedro Solberg, Brazil  vs. Alison/Bruno, Brazil
3:30 p.m. - Phil Dalhausser/Nick Lucena, United States  vs. Alexander Brouwer & Robert Meeuwsen, Netherlands