Men’s Poreč medalists upset in Gstaad

There might not have been a medal hangover for Sarah Pavan but try telling that to all three of the men’s medalists from Poreč who suffered shock defeats in the pool play in Gstaad today.

It was 13 unlucky for the Poreč champions from Brazil Pedro Solberg and Guto Carvalhaes as they went down in straights to last year’s Mexican Olympians Ontiveros/Virgen 16-21, 19-21. The defeat ended a run of 12 successive wins for the South American duo who had to battle through country quota and qualification for a second tournament running.

For the silver medalists on the Croatian coast, Italians Lupo/Nicolai, it got from bad to worse as they suffered a second successive defeat in the mountains. They might have ended the Poreč Major with a medal but the pair were disappointed with their final set against Pedro Solberg/Guto – and their bad form has continued here as the lost again on Thursday to Chilean cousins Estaban and Marco Grimalt.

For Poreč Major bronze medalists and Olympic champions Alison/Bruno they went down to a surprise straight sets defeat to Cubans Nivaldo/Gonzalez. The men from the Caribbean were in awesome form as they destroyed the Brazilians in just 34 minutes. Nivaldo/Gonzalez restricted their illustrious opponents to just 13 points in an incredible first set. And they cruised to victory, and secured a place in the elimination round by winning the second 21-19.

The Brazilians now face Swiss pair Beeler/Krattiger on Center Court on Friday needing to win to stay in the competition.