Disappointment for Walsh/Ross but Sweat/Ross keep the American dream alive on Sunday

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Agatha and Duda celebrate their epic win on Center Court

Wow! What a final night it was under the lights at the Fort Lauderdale Major – and the big shock was that Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross are out of the tournament.

The last floodlit match on Center Court on Fort Lauderdale Beach was an absolute classic. Kerri and April took the first set 21-16 and looked well in control to book their place in Sunday’s semifinals.

But Brazilians Agatha/Duda, who we spoke to earlier in the week, had other ideas – and stormed back to level the match in the second set 21-15.

Backed by an unbelievable crowd, Kerri and April were urged on in pursuit of the final set. However, it was Agatha/Duda that turned the screw and gained the upper hand by securing three match points. Somehow, though, the Americans summoned the energy to save them and unbelievably draw level.

Having survived, in nailbiting fashion, Walsh/Ross then had three points themselves to take them through to Sunday’s semis. However, to the disappointment of the huge crowd, on each occasion the Brazilians had the answer and kept them at bay.

A perfectly placed longline attack from Duda gave her and Agatha a fourth match point and this time April and Kerri had no reply as Agatha’s block secured the Brazilians a victory and with it a semifinal match against Germans Laboureur/Sude.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom for the Americans though – they still have a team left in the last four to get behind and support on Sunday. Brooke Sweat and Summer Ross got the better of Czech outsiders Kolocova/Kvapilova in straight sets and they will meet Larissa/Talita in the semifinal.

Relive all the action from today’s breathless super Saturday on our BeachStream channel and don’t forget to tune in on Sunday to catch every dig, dig, serve and spike!