Chinese women Wang Fan/Yue Yuan took their third silver medal at FIVB tournaments - their second in Xiamen - when they lost to the final to Brazilian pair Barbara Seixas De Freitas and Fernanda Alves on the closing day of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Xiamen Open 2017.
In the semifinals, Wang/Yue stunned Germany's Victoria Bieneck/Isabel Schneider, 18-21, 21-17, 15-12. It was their first encounter in the FIVB tournaments, but they all have competed in previous Xiamen Open. In 2014, the Chinese pair finished runners-up.
With impressive net play, Fernanda helped the Brazilians take a lead in the first set, but Yue's dangerous serves brought China back. The deciding set was nail-biting.
Wang saved two match points, before another was saved. Barbara eventually nailed the 21-12, 19-21, 16-14 victory and ensured their first gold medal since the two teamed up at the beginning of this season.
"We had some tough matches to get here. We needed this result. This is our first title, it's very special for us," said Barbara, Rio Olympic silver medalist.
"China are at home, so all the crowd are in favor of them and they know the wind, the weather, so it was really hard, but it worked.
"Chinese girls started a little bit down and we started strong, and then they recovered during the game and Yue Yuan has a really hard serve."
The Chinese women said it was their first FIVB tournament since Rio Olympics and they were happy with the result.
"We did our best and kept our own pace no matter how many points we trailed," said Yue. "We did not think too much when they got the match point. The pressure is on their side. We tried to take advantage of their mistakes and did not give up. It'd be better if we had some more luck."
Yue's partner said highly of the Brazilians' calmness at crucial moments.
"Since this Brazilian team were newly formed, it was the first time we played against them. The Brazilians have a well formed plan and are able to deal with the key points. We gave them a lot of pressure even though we struggled in defense," Wang said.
Victoria Bieneck and Isabel Schneider earned the bronze medal following a determined 21-16, 21-19 victory over Brazilian pair Maria Antonelli and Carolina Horta Maximo.
