Day one of pool play – check out these beach battles!

After silver last year, Agatha is eyeing gold in Fort Lauderdale this week

It’s the first day of pool play on Wednesday as the Fort Lauderdale Major goes up a gear. Not only does the Red Bull Beach Arena open its doors for the first time, but some of the world’s best players make their eagerly anticipated return to the sand!

So what’s hot in the women’s completion on Wednesday? We guide you through five games you must watch – either in person or live on BeachStream!

Who? Pavan/Humana-Paredes v Pischke/Broder

Where? Court 3

When? 9am EST

Why? An all-Canadian affair kicks of the opening day of pool play as the world’s number one team, Sarah Pavan and Melissa Humana-Paredes, take on fellow countrywomen Taylor Pischke and Jamie Broder. It will be the first time these two tandems have met on the World Tour – so who will get the early bragging rights in Pool B?

Who? Hermannová/Sluková v Meppelink/Keizer

Where? Court 4

When? 9.50am EST

Why? Attention swiftly turns to an interesting all-European match-up as Czech stars Barbora Hermannová and Marketa Sluková aim to kick-start their season with a win against the Dutch duo Madelein Meppelink and Sanne Keizer. Keizer is making her return to beach volleyball having had twins so all eyes will be on her as she aims for a winning start in pool play.

Who? Agatha/Duda v Ittlinger/Behrens

Where? Court 5

When? 10.40am EST

Why? Last year’s runners-up Agatha/Duda of Brazil will be out to win gold this year with rivals Larissa/Talita and Ludwig/Walkenhorst missing. The South Americans face a tricky opener against this young German duo, who will want to make a name for themselves on their debut in Beach Major Series pool play.

Who? Ross/Klineman v Borger/Kozuch

Where? Court 2

When? 11.30am EST

Why? American team Ross/Klineman are defending a perfect record in beach together after winning 10 matches on the spin to win gold in The Hague last month. Their first test in Fort Lauderdale will come against German pair Karla Borger and Maggie Kozuch who will want to hit the sand running this year after a stop-start 2017 season.

Who? Claes/Hughes v Liliana/Elsa

Where? Court 2

When? 9am EST

Why? If you’ve got time to have eyes on two matches at once, why not check out rising American stars Kelly Claes and Sara Hughes in the first game on court 2. The pair are tipped to have a bright future in the game but youngsters open their Fort Lauderdale Major against the hugely experienced Spanish pair Liliana/Elsa, so they won’t have it all their own way.

These matches and indeed all of the games from the Fort Lauderdale Major will be available live on BeachStream. Click here to register and don’t miss them!