Top-ranked Americans Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes were eliminated from the Tokyo Olympics on Sunday after being upset by Swiss duo Nina Brunner and Tanja Huberli in straight sets.
Top-ranked American beach volleyball duo Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes suffered a shocking upset at the Tokyo Olympics on Sunday, losing in straight sets to Swiss pair Nina Brunner and Tanja Huberli. The Americans, who entered the tournament as the top seeds, were outplayed by the Swiss duo in a 21-14, 21-16 defeat that ended their hopes of winning a medal.
Cheng and Hughes, who are ranked No. 1 in the world, were considered one of the favorites to win gold in Tokyo. They had won three gold medals on the FIVB World Tour this season and had not lost a set in their first two matches of the Olympics. However, they were unable to match the intensity and execution of Brunner and Huberli, who played with great skill and determination.
USA's Cheng and Hughes Crash Out of Olympic Beach Volleyball in Upset Loss
The Swiss duo, who are ranked No. 5 in the world, started the match strong and never let up. They dominated at the net, blocking several of Cheng and Hughes' attacks. They also played well in the sand, digging several balls that seemed destined to drop.
Cheng and Hughes struggled to find their rhythm throughout the match. They made several unforced errors, including several missed serves. They also had difficulty passing the ball, which made it difficult for them to set up their attacks.
The Americans fought back in the second set, but they were unable to overcome the Swiss duo. Brunner and Huberli closed out the match with a 21-16 win, sending Cheng and Hughes home empty-handed.
The loss was a major disappointment for Cheng and Hughes, who had been hoping to win their first Olympic medal. It also marked a disappointing end to the Olympic beach volleyball tournament for the United States, which failed to medal in either the men's or women's competition.
USA Volleyball CEO and High Performance Director, Tom Ryan, expressed his disappointment with the result but praised the team's effort. "We are obviously disappointed with the outcome, but I am proud of the way Kelly and Sara competed. They gave it their all, but it just wasn't enough today. We will learn from this experience and come back stronger."
Despite the disappointing finish, Cheng and Hughes have had a successful season. They won three gold medals on the FIVB World Tour and reached the semifinals of the FIVB World Championships. They will look to build on their success in the future and continue to challenge for medals on the international stage.
