Americans win podium place to deny Europe a medal

• Facebook
• Twitter

Brooke and Summer are on the podium for the USA on home sand!

Bronze for USA! A year after they missed out on a medal, home favorites Brooke Sweat and Summer Ross went one better and got themselves on the podium at the Fort Lauderdale Major.

The duo lost in the bronze medal match 12 months ago, losing to Germans Chantal Laboureur and Julia Sude – but it was a different story in 2018 as Victoria Bieneck and Isabelle Schneider were beaten in straight sets.

With friends and family watching in the stands, the pair were thrilled to bounce back with their 21-17, 21-13 win after the semifinal defeat earlier in the day.

“It means a lot to do this here in Florida,” said Sweat afterwards. “Especially after the heart-wrenching loss in the semis.

“We did a good job because we didn’t have much time to talk and prepare for the next match. It was good that we refocused. It was more a mental challenge for us. It was important to erase that and just let it go.

“A lot of people might have counted us out before the tournament and thought we were underdogs but all of the top teams were here.

“To win a Major medal is an amazing feeling and I hope we can keep proving people wrong throughout the rest of the season.”

Congratulations, girls!