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Day 7 roundup: Vieira/Vivian takes all-victory title, Yue /Zhang comes second
    2007-08-19 14:02:00  Good Luck Beijing
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The final and the bronze medal match of the 2007 FIVB Beach Volleyball Women's Challenger were staged on the morning of August 19. As a result, the Brazilian pair Angela Vieira/Danielle Vivian remained unbeaten for the title with a victory over the Chinese pair Yue Yuan/Zhang Wenwen. The Thai pair Kulna/Yupa Phokongpoly edged out the Swiss pair Sarah Schmocker/Isabelle Forrer to finish third.

The bronze medal match between the Thai pair and the Swiss pair was staged first. The Thai pair had drawn extensive attention due to an earlier victory over the No.1 seed of this challenger: the Chinese pair Zhang Ying/Ji Linjun. In spite of losing to the favorite Brazilian pair in the semifinal, they should not be belittled. This match could be rated as a brilliant one. Both pairs gave full play to their technical merits in attack, block and defense and save. In particular, the Thai pair made the most of their strong capacity for defense and counterattack to successfully restrict the attack of their opponents.It was the technical feature that had made their previous opponents in this challenger suffers a lot.

The Swiss pair equalized the score in the unfavorable situation of losing the first set to the Thai pair, but in the deciding set, the Thai pair did not open a gate to victory for the Swiss pair and eventually edged out them 2-1. With a low profile for this challenger, the Thai pair Kulna/Yupa Phokongploy knocked out No.1 seed and finished third, whose performance could be described as outstanding.

The final was between the biggest favorite Brazilian pair Angela Vieira/Danielle Vivian and the Chinese pair Yue Yuan/Zhang Wenwen. In the match, the Brazilian pair kept their attack momentum and held the lead over the Chinese pair by their overall advantage so as to win the first set smoothly.

The Chinese pair changed their tactics in the second set and once held three set points by a lead of 21-17 due to many errors of the Brazilian pair. Unfortunately, they became inefficient in service reception at the crucial moment and were defeated 21-23 after four straight service aces by their opponents. Through this challenger, the Brazilian pair showed their remarkable strength, it is really commendable that they took the crown with all two-straight-set victories. However, the Chinese pair Yue Yuan/Zhang Wenwen also showed their high level. In the unfavorable situation of losing the first match, they advanced to the final against heavy pressure. Such a good result won the young pair precious experience and confidence. It is believed that they will achieve more good results and surprise for Chinese spectators.

The final rankings of this challenger are shown as follows:
  1 VIEIRA/VIVIAN BRA
  2 YUE Y./ZHANG W.W. CHN
  3 KULNA/PHOKONGPLOY THA
  4 FORRER/SCHMOCKER SUI
  5 ZHANG/JI CHN
  5 LI/A. HU CHN
  5 D. ZHANG/Y.Y. MA CHN
  5 SHEN/GUO CHN
  9 LIN/LIN CHN
  9 HU/Y. HUANG CHN
  9 BRATUHHINA/GRAUMANN EST
  9 SHUN THING/TECK HUA MAS
  9 MASLER/KIMBALL USA
  9 CARSON/JOMPHE CAN
  9 BOILEAU/MONDOR CAN
  9 N. CAO/X.L. ZHAO CHN
  17 CLEARY/LOMBARDI USA
  17 ISWARI/TENG KEE MAS
  19 YOKBETH/RAHAWARIN INA
  19 SUGAWARA/YANAGAWA JPN
  19 RADARONG/UDOMCHAVEE THA
  19 MEI LING/SUM HKG
  19 B. SUN/ZH.CH. WEI CHN
  19 NILSSON/OLIVEIRA SWE