French Olympians undefeated after two days in João Pessoa

One of the eight women's teams to emerge from Wednesday's qualifier at this week's Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour João Pessoa Elite, French Olympians Clémence Vieira and Aline Chamereau had another successful day in Brazil on Thursday, being one of just eight duos to continue undefeated at the Cabo Branco Beach.

Besides the Europeans, three teams from the United States and one from each of hosts Brazil, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands also kept their records clean ahead of the last day of pool play matches in João Pessoa.

• Watch the João Pessoa Elite live on VBTV

One day after starting their Pool E campaign with a three-set victory, Vieira and Chamereau did it again on Thursday, this time causing a major upset and taking down one of the top Brazilian teams in the event, formed by Thâmela Coradello and Victoria Lopes, 2-1 (9-21, 21-11, 15-10) in another comeback.

With two victories in as many matches, the Paris Olympians are well-positioned to occupy one of the top two spots in the pool and advance directly to the Round of 16.

Thâmela and Victoria now have one win and one loss, the same campaign as Canadians Sophie Bukovec and Lea Monkhouse, who on Thursday topped Czechs Kylie Neuschaeferova and Martina Maixnerova also in the tie-breaker (12-21, 21-18, 15-10).

In Pool C, Americans Savvy Simo and Devon Newberry enjoyed the same success as the French, earning a pair of main draw victories after surviving the qualifier. On Thursday, they overcame compatriots Piper Ferch and Teegan Van Gunst in straight sets (21-14, 21-13).

Reigning world champions Tina Graudina and Anastasija Samoilova of Latvia, who surprisingly fell to the Americans on Wednesday, reacted on Thursday and earned their first victory in the event by taking down Brazilians Kyce Silva and Talita Simonetti in two sets (21-13, 22-20).

Olympic champions through the next round

Pools A and B have their pictures way clearer already, with each featuring two undefeated teams, which are all guaranteed in the Round of 16.

Brazilian Olympic champions Eduarda 'Duda' Lisboa and Ana Patrícia Ramos are among the teams with perfect records in Pool A - on Thursday, they defeated Americans Abby Van Winkle and Molly Phillips in the tie-breaker (21-14, 19-21, 15-9).

On Friday, they will play Germans Melanie Paul and Lea Kunst, who are also undefeated after sweeping (21-11, 21-17) Americans Kamila Tan and Tiffany Svenssohn on Thursday.

In Pool B, Americans Taryn Brasher and Kristen Cruz (formerly Nuss) earned their second victory in João Pessoa on Thursday, beating Brazilians Verena Oliveira and Thainara Feitosa in three sets (19-21, 22-20, 15-11).

Also undefeated are Italians Claudia Scampoli and Giada Bianchi, who secured their second victory in the event by taking down Danish Sofia Bisgaard and Cirkeline Høg 2-0 (24-22, 22-20).

In Pool D, the new American team of Kelly Cheng and Megan Kraft is the only one still undefeated - on Thursday, they downed compatriots Hailey Harward and Xolani Hodel in straight sets (21-19, 21-11). In the other match of the pool, Paraguayan Olympians Michelle Valiente and Giuliana Corrales upset Brazilian veterans Talita Antunes and Taiana Lima also in two sets (21-17, 21-18).

Dutch Olympians Raisa Schoon and Katja Stam are the only team undefeated in Pool F after they prevailed over Brazilians Carolina Horta and Elize Maia 2-0 (21-19, 21-17) on Thursday. In the other match of the day, Lithuanians Ieva Vasiliauskaite and Erika Kliokmanaite caused a big upset, overcoming Germans Svenja Müller and Cinja Tillmann in the tie-breaker (21-18, 18-21, 15-8).

Beach Pro Tour João Pessoa Elite - Match Schedule & Results

Friday will be a busy day for the women in João Pessoa, with the last round of pool play matches starting at 9:00 local time (12:00 UTC), the 'lucky loser' round following at 15:00 (18:00 UTC) and the Round of 16 beginning at 18:00 (21:00 UTC).

Quick links:
Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour
VBTV
Beach Volleyball World Facebook
Beach Volleyball World X
Beach Volleyball World Instagram
Beach Volleyball World YouTube
Subscribe to Volleyball World's Newsletter