Van Iersel aiming to stay below the radar at Rome 2011
Marleen Van Iersel is over her back injury at the FIVB World Champions Rome 2011 powered by smart
Rome, Italy, June 13 – Marleen Van Iersel is hoping that people continue to overlook her and partner Sanne Keizer’s chances of success at the FIVB Swatch World Championships Rome 2011 powered by Smart.
The Dutch duo won their inaugural FIVB Swatch World Tour events with consecutive victories in Shanghai and Myslowice this year despite being overlooked by many before the 2011 Tour started.
“I can see why for others it would be unexpected, but for us it would be less unexpected because we had a very good winter and did some good training,” Van Iersel said.
“The first two tournaments we finished in ninth place but we really felt we could do more. We felt there was something special coming. It was amazing that we won that first tournament and then the one after, but we knew were going to do it.”
The latest World Tour event in Beijing ended less well for the pair when a back injury to Van Iersel forced the pair to return home early from China to recover properly.
In the Netherlands she underwent a recovery program and appeared back to her best as the duo battled to beat Georgia’s Cristine Santanna and Andrezza Martins 21-19, 21-19 in their first game at the Foro Italico.
“I felt good,” she said. “We had a good recovery in Holland. Last week in Beijing I couldn’t play because of a light injury to my back and quit the tournament. But I had a good recovery and felt good today with this good win.
“I think we like it this way and to save the best for last. We didn’t give everything in this match, we tried to build it up and luckily it was enough.”
Click here to see Marleen van Iersel speak about her recovery from injury
