RIO DE JENEIRO, August 12 (Xinhua) -- Three-time Olympic champion Kerri Walsh Jennings and her new partner April Ross of the United States stormed into the women's beach volleyball semi-finals of the Rio Games after sweeping Australia's Taliqua Clancy and Louise Bawden in straight sets.
Walsh/Ross recorded their fifth consecutive victory at the Rio Games 21-14 and 21-16.
Going down tamely in the first set, Clancy/Bawden fought hard to stay within 14-12 in the second set, only to find Walsh/Ross pull away with a 5-1 burst and hold on for the victory.
Reigning world champions Agatha Bednarczuk and Barbara Seixas and Larissa Franca/Talita Rocha of Brazil both secured their berths in the top four. Agatha/Barbara overcame Russia's Ekaterina/Evgenia Ukolova 23-21 and 21-16 while Larissa/Talita rallied past Nadine Zumkehr/Joana Heidrich of Switzerland 21-23, 27-25 and 15-13 in a full set thriller.
In Sunday's other quarter-final match, Germany's Laura Ludwig/Kira Walkenhorst eliminated Canada's Sarah Pavan/Heather Bansley 21-14 and 21-14.
Walsh/Ross will play Agatha/Barbara in Tuesday's semi-finals where Larissa/Talita take on Ludwig/Walkenhorst.
