Heavens11 said this in post #1 : [B]In other action, fifth-seeded Australians Natalie Cook and Nicole Sanderson blew four match points before rallying to beat China's Lu Wang and Whenhui You 21-19, 17-21, 17-15.
The Aussies led 14-10 in the decisive set before the Chinese pair reeled off five straight points. Cook, a 2000 gold medalist in Sydney with Kerri Pottharst, then finished the match with two kills and an ace.
"I don't like them that close, because your heart beats too fast," Cook said. "But we need that challenge now, so come the time when you're playing those tougher teams, you'll know what it's like."
It's a shame that Cook and Pottharst couldn't get backtogether after their stunning win in Sydney, but at least Cook is still going strong without Pottharst. Also would be nice if they could each win medals seperately.
NATALIE Cook's bid for a second successive Olympic beach volleyball gold medal suffered a setback with a straight sets loss in the Australian's final group match.
Cook and her new partner Nicole Sanderson lost 21-10 22-20 to German pair Stephanie Pohl and Okka Rau but still made it through to the round of 16.
Their opponents in the next round will be decided after tonight's night's final group matches.
Last night's loss exposed some worrying flaws in Cook and Sanderson's game which they both admit need addressing if they are to progress past the next round.
Cook's gold medal winning partner from the Sydney Games, Kerri Pottharst and her new teammate Summer Lochowicz also reached the final 16 with a tight win over Mexican pair Hilda Gaxiola and Mayra Garcia.
Pottharst and Lochowicz won 26-24 22-20, but had to survive two set points before finally securing the first set at their third attempt.
Australians Julien Prosser and Mark Williams also reached the final 16 by beating Canadians John Child and Mark Heese 21-13 15-21 15-12.
Australia's remaining team, Andrew Schacht and Josh Slack, need to beat Norwegians Bjorn Maaseide and Iver Horrem in straight sets later today to guarantee a place in the next round.
08-17-2004 04:40 AM
It's not to be:
