USA! USA!

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The US fans were in great voice throughout the tournament. Photocredit: Martin Steinthaler.

As Kerri Walsh Jennings told us, there’s nothing quite like playing on home sand – and the Fort Lauderdale Major certainly saw America bring the best out of itself – on and off the court.

Okay, so the home nation only picked up one medal – congratulations on your bronze, Phil and Nick, by the way – but that did not stop the American fans and players from having a great time under the Fort Lauderdale sun (and moon).

Take the first day of the main draw for example. There was no stopping Team USA in the morning session with the highlight arguably Casey Patterson and Theo Brunner’s epic straight sets victory over reigning Olympic champions Alison/Bruno on a scorching Center Court.

It’s fair to say teams old and new and male and female from the home nation relished playing in front of their own fans and their performances certainly lived up to the hype that brought thousands of fans to Fort Lauderdale Beach Park.

Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena (in blue) in action against Austrians Doppler/Horst under the floodlights on Center Court.

All in all 10 American teams progressed to the knockout phase and swept along by the backing of their supporters, their success helped create a stunning atmosphere day and night on the Center Court. Anyone inside the stadium on the spine-tingling nights that Lucena/Dalhausser and Walsh/Ross played will testify.

While the honours ultimately went to the Brazilians – as their brilliance carried them to win four of the six shiny medals on offer in the first Swatch Major Series stop of the season – it was fascinating to witness another chapter in the great rivalry between Brazil and the USA.

Brazil might have had the upper hand this time but we’re sure the United States will have their day again this season…

Remember you can watch every single game from the Fort Lauderdale Major again on our BeachStream channel, so if you are in the mood to relive all the drama and excitement, subscribe and check it out!