Dalhausser, Roger book slot in semi-final of 2011 Brasilia Open
The 2011 Brasilia Open in underway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in full intensity. The tournament was started off on Sunday, April 17 with 79 men’s duos.
The beach volleyball enthusiasts got to witness some scintillating performance on the centre court. In the men’s division, the American top-seeded pairing of Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers created a great buzz. They opened the tournament in a great way
and exhibited an incredible show of beach volleyball. The duo finished the last season with nine SWATCH titles and wrote new chapter in the history. They are enjoying a great in the running season and have the firm ambition to maintain their dominance.
The American duo opened the Brasilia Open in Main Draw and played their first match on Wednesday. They proved their endeavours and clawed their way to the quarter-final stage on Thursday. American team was challenged by Spanish and Brazilian duos in the
quarter-finals.
Dalhausser and Rogers worked out a great performance against the rivals and advanced to the semi-finals. In the first match, they overpowered Spanish duo of Adrian Gavira Collado and Pablo Herrera in three sets. Likewise, they launched their authority on
the home duo of Alison Cerutti/Emanuel Rego and finished the day with success.
Dalhausser/Rogers vs. Gavira/Herrera 2-1 (13-21, 21-17, and 15-7)
The early phase of the game portrayed a different picture. The Spaniards opened the match with great serves. They had prepared well for the important match and displayed a wonderful game. Pablo Herrera put his magic in the game and found the perfect gaps
in American half to score points.
They picked up a lead, while U.S. pair was still in the process of settling down in their positions. Gavira and Herrera developed a great chemistry between them and gave a hard time to American counterparts. The cut shots by Gavira and quick bump passes
of Herrera enabled them to drag the opponents under pressure. They maintain a good run until the end and captured first set by posting 21-13.
The top seeds received a humiliating defeat in the first set. However, they hit back angrily in the following set. They had had enough time to judge the potential of rivals. They came up with a new strategy and put up a spirited effort. The hard work paid
off and American duo finally started to feel alive in the second set. One they got their rhythm and form back, they added consecutive points. The Spanish side lost momentum and lost the second set (17-21).
The victory in second set restored the confidence of American team. They opened the 15-point golden set with convincing serves. The Spaniards became irresistible and lost ground. They failed to put up with the heavy strike of volleys and dropped third set.
The duo of Dalhausser/Rogers made a great come-back and claimed the match.
Dalhausser/Rogers vs. Alison/Emanuel 2-1 (16-21, 21-19, and 15-11)
In the second match, Dalhausser/Rogers suffered the set back as Brazilian team displayed a spectacular game. The hosts finished the opening set with 5-point lead. The start was good for hosts but they could not keep the same energy in the other sets. Americans
bounced back in the game hit the equalizer in second set. They remained on the winning course and hit the mark with third set win over home team.
Dalhausser shared his thoughts after the match. He stated, “After the first set I wasn’t sure we would win because Emanuel and Alison were playing very good. If I had to use only one word to describe the match, it would be tough. The weather in Brasilia
is much different from Southern California where we live and train, mainly with the high humidity, but we must adapt ourselves quickly to all conditions around the world. We felt Alison was a little tired in the third set so we focused on serving him. Fortunately,
it was the right decision.”
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