Shanghai, China, May 3, 2011 – Anja Günther/Geeske Banck of Germany and Brittany Hochevar/Jennifer Fopma from the United States clinched their berths in Wednesday’s women’s Qualification Tournament as both duos picked up victories in the Country Quota Playoffs as the 2011 FIVB Beach Volleyball Swatch World Tour Shanghai Open continued on Tuesday.

Günther/Banck cruised into the Qualification Tournament with a 21-17 and 21-16 triumph over compatriots Rieke Brink-Abeler and Angelina Grün, who beat Karla Borger/Britta Büthe in straight sets earlier on in the day.

For the second event in a row, Hochevar/Fopma defeated Tealle Hunkus/Heather Lowe in the country-quota play-offs, while this time they met tougher resistance from their compatriots before rallying from one set down to take the 9-21, 21-14 and 15-12 victory in 47 minutes.

Following the withdrawal of defending two-time Olympic champions Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor of the United States, Brazil’s Juliana Felisberta Silva/Larissa Franca will be the favourites in the women’s competition of the US$380,000 2011 FIVB Beach Volleyball Swatch World Tour Shanghai Jinshan Open.

Juliana/Larissa have captured five of the last six season championships on the international tour, but their only success at the Shanghai Open was in 2005 when the Brazilians made a clean sweep of the medals.

The Chinese city of Shanghai is welcoming the FIVB Beach Volleyball Swatch World Tour for the eighth year in a row. The Shanghai Jinshan Open is the second of 12 double gender event of the 2011 season with the men's Main Draw tournament kicking off on Wednesday.