Article by Ben Waterworth, courtesy of the Australian Olympic Committee.
Australia’s Taliqua Clancy and Mariafe Artacho del Solar have progressed to the Women’s Beach Volleyball quarter-finals.
Taliqua Clancy and Mariafe Artacho del Solar have progressed to the Women’s Beach Volleyball quarter-finals after a clinical victory over Brazilian world number three Carolina Solberg Salgado and Barbara Seixas de Freitas.
Under a blistering Parisian sun at the Eiffel Tower Stadium, Taliqua and Mariafe withstood the pressure from the Brazilian pair for a straight sets win (24-22, 21-14).
The Brazilian pair came into the match undefeated having only dropped one set in the group stage. However that mattered little, with the Australian Tokyo silver medallists looking composed and confident in victory.
They will now face Swiss pair Zoe Verge-Depre and Esmee Boebner for a spot in the semi-finals.
Taliqua said confidence was building between them as they continue their push towards back-to-back Olympics medals.
“I think we took another good step forward, which is what we want to do,” she said. “We just want to keep improving every match, and we’re happy with what we were able to put out there.”
After a tight start to the match in which the momentum swung between both pairs, the Brazilians were able to pull out to a four-point lead during the first set.
The Australians soon found their rhythm, bridging the gap back slowly before landing set point at 20-19 after forcing an error by the Brazilians.
However, the point was saved by the Brazilian pair, and the tight back and forth play continued until Taliqua and Mariafe were able to secure the set on their fourth set point, winning it 24-22.
In an entertaining second set, momentum remained with the Australians, with several lengthy rallies bringing the packed Eiffel Tower Stadium to their feet. The Aussie pair was in charge from the outset, however, to take the set 21-14 and win the match.
Taliqua said their first set turn around came down to remaining patient and believing in their gameplan.
“We kept trust in our game style and what we were able to do,” she said. “We just stayed patient and kept firing our weapons and we got the payoff in the end.”
She added that the atmosphere in the stadium also played a factor.
“It’s honestly amazing,” Taliqua said. “The weather’s nicer too so the fans can sit there and enjoy the game.
“It’s just exciting to have fans here again, and fans of the game and people who it’s their first time to watch beach volleyball, so it’s awesome that they’re still matching that energy.”
