Sun, sand and spikes. Brazil clinch Fort Lauderdale Major

A packed Red Bull Beach Arena in Florida witnessed the battle of Brazil in the women’s final at the Fort Lauderdale Major.

Ninth seeds Bárbara Seixas and Fernanda Berti Alves took home gold and 40,000 USD after dominating Taiana De Souza Lima and Carolina Horta Máximo 21-16, 21-13 in the final. Here is all you need to know.

–      The ninth seeds were in unbeatable form all week under the Florida sun, winning all six matches they played

–      The win clinched a first Major Series title for Olympic silver medallist Seixas, 30 and Berti Alves, 32.

–      Seixas said: “My partner was on fire and so was I. I think we learned that we should never give up and focus on every single point. It’s why I feel so passionate about the sport. It’s why I yell and scream and shout – I’m really happy.”

–      It was the second consecutive year that two Brazilian teams contested the women’s final

–      De Souza Lima and Horta Máximo entered the tournament at the country quota stage and had to qualify, the final was their 10th match of the week

–      De Souza Lima said: “It has been special for us. To me, this silver is like gold. I will always have this week on my memory. When Carol called me and we decided to play this tournament together, we had no idea of what could happen and here we are.”

–      There was also joy for the home crowd as the USA pairing of Brooke Sweat and Summer Ross took home a bronze medal for the first time after their 21-17, 21-13 win over German pair Victoria Bieneck and Isabel Schneider.

–      Sweat said: “It means a lot to do this here in Florida. Especially after the heart-wrenching loss in the semis. It was more of a mental challenge for us. It was important to erase that and just let it go.”

–      The men’s medals will be awarded on Sunday, the final day of the Fort Lauderdale Major. The gold medal match features the USA pair of Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena against Italian duo Paolo Nicolai and Daniele Lupo.