Osaka, Japan, August 10, 2003 - Brazil's Ana Paula Connelly and Sandra Pires Tavares won their fourth gold medal of the 2003 SWATCH-FIVB World Tour on Sunday after winning a tight three-setter against compatriots Adriana Brandao Behar and Shelda Kelly Bruno in the final of the Japan Open.
The victorious duo resisted a brave fight back from their fellow Brazilians to secure the $22,000 winner's cheque with a 21-18, 19-21, 15-13 victory in front of a packed and sun-baked center court in Osaka.
The result ended Adriana and Shelda's run of five consecutive victories in Japan and also extended Ana Paula and Sandra Pires' lead at the top of the World Tour rankings.
Bronze went to Nicole Sanderson and Natalie Cook, the reigning Olympic champion ignoring the affects of a bout of flu as the Aussie pair downed Brazilians Alexandra Fonseca Da Silva and Tatiana Minello 21-18, 15-21, 15-10 in the playoff.
"Last year I lost in the final here to Adriana and Shelda so it's great to come back and win this time," said Ana Paula, who was also voted the Speedo Most Valuable Player of the tournament. "It was a very tight game, very tough, although I never thought we were going to lose it. Maybe the difference was that we served a little better.
"Even when we were 12-6 down in the second set we tried to fight back, but then a couple of decisions went against us. When we came out for the third set we were very focused, we talked about not making any mistakes. Maybe our height advantage helped - it meant we could share the blocking, which is important when it's as hot as this.
"Adriana and Shelda are a great team. When I first started in Beach I used to look at them and think that's where I want to be. I still wish I could defend like Shelda."
Despite increasing their lead at the top of the rankings, Ana Paula and Sandra Pires plan to take a break from the next two World Tour events in China and Bali in order to practise back in Brazil.
"Our aim is not so much to win the World Tour ranking title but to qualify for the Olympics next year," added the 31-year-old from Leblon. "We're more focused on the run in to the Olympics and we know that we still have a lot to improve."
The victory allowed Sandra Pires to increase her haul of World Tour titles to an impressive 19, while Ana Paula now has five victories to her name.
It also proved a memorable afternoon for Sanderson, who posted a career-best finish on the World Tour, had the pleasure of stepping on to the podium for the first time and also won the SWATCH Fastest Service Award after being clocked at 77.7 kmh.
The SWATCH-FIVB World Tour stays in Asia next week as it moves on to Lianyungang, three hours north of Shanghai, for the $150,000 Women's Chinese Open. |
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