The second-seeded Brazilians won their fourth title of the season on Saturday, defeating No. 7 Xue Chen and Zhang Xi of China in the gold-medal match (21-15, 21-13). Larissa and Juliana did so in dominating fashion, not only in the final, but all tournament. They lost just one of 15 sets the entire week, and only three games were decided by fewer than three points.
larissa franca pics
larissa franca pics
larissa franca pics
larissa franca pics
larissa franca pics
The win also moves Larissa and Juliana into a tie atop the latest world rankings with Americans Jen Kessy and April Ross, who finished a disappointing ninth in Gstaad. Xue and Zhang moved to No. 3, ahead of Americans Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh, who placed fifth for the second straight week.
Seeding is not based on world rankings, but on a team's most recent results. Larissa and Juliana were overtaken for the top seed largely because of an uncharacteristic 17th place a month ago in Beijing. But with three straight podium appearances, including a world title, since that event, the Brazilians have clearly righted the ship.