Fourth consecutive Japan Open for Adriana/Shelda

Osaka, Japan, 12 August - Adriana Behar-Shelda (BRA) and the young US team of Kerri Walsh and Misty May fought head-to-head in the first set of the final in Osaka, the Sth Americans just holding on to win the set  23-21.

Walsh/May came out hard in the second set and leveled the set scores 1:1, but only after a marathon 30:28 point set.

The Americans had the stronger start in the third and, at 11-6 up, looked as if they had their second World Tour victory. Then Shelda served two aces - Adriana started to dominate at the net - and the Brazilians had turned the match around to clinch the third set 15-13, and the match.

This was the fourth Japan Open gold medal for Adriana and Shelda after wins in 1998, 1999 and 2000.

In the bronze medal match, Youngs-Fontana (USA) had an easy 2-0 (21-14, 21-14) win over Pottharst-Cook (AUS).