Saymon and Álvaro Win Brazilian Showdown to Claim Gold at the Swatch Beach Volleyball Fort Lauderdale Major

The Young Duo wins the All-Brazil Final against Evandro and Andre Loyola, while Agatha and Eduarda "Duda" eliminate Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross in the women's quarterfinals

News provided by

Swatch Major Series

Feb 11, 2017, 20:44 ET

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today marked the culmination of five days of intense men's competition on Fort Lauderdale Beach when Saymon Barbosa and Álvaro Filho took home the gold medal at the Swatch Beach Volleyball Fort Lauderdale Major. The 32 men's teams who began the tournament were whittled down to the final four powerhouse pairs who competed today. Two teams from both Brazil and United States faced off, but it was Saymon and Álvaro who continued their domination in the tournament, not dropping a single set the entire week on their way to clinching Gold.

Evandro Goncalves Oliveira Junior and Andre Loyola Stein of Brazil battling Alvaro Magliano De Morais Filho and Saymon Barbosa Santos of Brazil during the Final of the Fort Lauderdale Major, part of the Swatch Beach Volleyball Major Series on February 11, 2017. (Martin Steinthaler/ Swatch Beach Volleyball Major Series/ Red Bull Content Pool )

Brazil lived up to their reputation as the world's leader in the sport with the teams of Saymon/Álvaro and Evandro/Andre topping the U.S. teams in both semifinals matches to begin the day's action. The first match of the day saw hometown favorite Nick Lucena and his partner Phil Dalhausser fall to Brazil's Evandro and Andre, mere hours after the U.S. pair eliminated the dominant Rio Gold Medalists Bruno and Alison the night before. The U.S. duo John Hyden and Ryan Doherty also saw their run come to an end at the hands of Saymon and Álvaro.

With this being their first major competition together for Saymon and Álvaro, the future is extremely bright for the young pair, but Álvaro is content to take it one competition at a time. "It's hard to think about the future. I just want to enjoy this victory, but it does mean a lot because we work so hard. I have to say thanks to everyone in Brazil and all our fans here. Thank you so much!"

On the women's side of the ball, Brooke Sweat and Summer Ross made quick work of the Czech pair Kristyna Kolocova and Michala Kvapilova (21-13; 21-14), moving them forward into a challenging semifinal matchup against the highly decorated Brazilian veterans Larissa and Talita. But it was the night match featuring Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross (USA) versus Agatha and Eduarda "Duda" (BRA) that stole the show. After taking the first set 21-16, the Brazilians fought back to take the second set 21-15, and the third set kept the capacity crowd on its feet as each team traded point for point until Agatha and Duda broke through to win 20-18.

Following the match Agatha seemed in awe of the electric atmosphere created by the last set. "I love this, this is why we play the game," she said then looked to her partner. "Duda, this is a dream."

Sunday's matches will be an international affair, starting with Sweat/Ross S. (USA) vs. Larissa/Talita (BRA) at 9:05 a.m followed by Agatha/Duda (BRA) vs. Sude/Laboureur (GER) at 10:05 a.m. EST. For those who can't make it out to Fort Lauderdale Beach tomorrow all of Sunday's women's matches can be viewed live on Red Bull TV beginning with the start of the semifinals. The Women's Final will be broadcast live on NBC at 2 p.m. EST.

Follow the Swatch Major Series:
Website: www.swatchmajorseries.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SwatchBeachVolleyballMajorSeries
Twitter: @SwatchMajors
Instagram: @swatchmajorseries
YouTube: www.youtube.com/swatchmajorseries
Snapchat: @swatchmajors
#FLTMajor

SOURCE Swatch Major Series