Chinese Xue/Zhang Xi eyeing next gold at Sanya Open – Volleyball news
Following a stupendous success at the first event of 2012 SWATCH FIVB World Tour, the Beijing Olympic bronze medal winners Xue Chen/Zhang Xi of China are resolved to go for another gold medal victory at the upcoming Sanya Open women’s beach volleyball tournament.
The Sanya Open is set to take place from April 24-29 in Sanya, China. The tournament will feature only women’s competitions and a total of 65 pairs from 27 countries of the world will be on board to showcase their amazing beach volleyball expertises in front
of the international audience. The tournament will offer prize money of $190,000 to the successful teams of the competition.
Sanya Bay will serve as host to the first SWATCH FIVB World Tour event in China during 2012 season. Moreover, Beijing and Shanghai will hold two Grand Slam Tournaments in coming May.
This is the third consecutive year that the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has selected Sanya to host the SWATCH FIVB World Tour event. The first two editions of the Sanya Open featured both men’s and women’s competitions but this year it will
serve as solo event for women. Previously, the pairing of Xue Chen and Zhang Xi secured the top slot in 2010 when they defeated Germany’s Sara Goller and Lara Ludwig in the final showdown of the tournament.
Earlier on, the Bay of Sanya hosted the first ever SWATCH FIVB World Tour competition in 2008. Back then, Xue Chen and Zhang Xi were attached to different partners. Zhang Xi was teamed up with Ying Huang and clawed their way to the final match. Nonetheless,
the local duo failed to overcome Brazilian Talita/Renata and settled for silver medals.
Afterwards, Zhang Xi formed partnership with Chen Xi and achieved an immediate success at 2010 Sanya Open women’s beach volleyball tournament as they secured gold medal.
Once again the duo is up in the quest of gold medal at home. They will be equipped with emotional support of local fans. Xue/Zhang have bright prospects to do well in the tournament. They will open the tournament in the Main Draw of third day of the tournament.
They will have a tough competition with defending champions Juliana and Larissa of the Brazil.
Xue Chen recently stated, “We have produced our best ever results in the Brazilia Open and I believe good luck will always stay with us.”
This year’s tournament has extra significance as it will also serve as a qualifying phase for the 2012 Olympic Games. The Chinese duo is prepared to take full advantage of the familiar conditions and home support. Let’s wait and see until the beach volleyball
scrimmage actually starts and better teams catch the limelight.
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