Vienna champions start with a victory

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Marketa (left) and Barbora have begun their Hamburg Finals with a victory

After winning the A1 Major Vienna presented by Swatch, Czech stars Barbora Hermannová and Marketa Sluková have had to be patient to start their Hamburg Finals challenge.

And the world’s number two team managed to begin their tournament with a win as they secured a dramatic victory in their opener against Australians Taliqua Clancy and Mariafe Artacho in three sets.

The Czech girls faced a match point against them in the deciding set but managed to pull through to get off the mark in front of the Red Bull Beach Arena crowd.

“It was strange to see everyone else playing and not us but waiting until now has been good for us,” explained Barbora. “We have had time to get used to the atmosphere, how the courts look and to create our own energy. Of course, that doesn’t matter now: we are here and we’re in the game zone now.”

Having triumphed in Vienna the pair are relishing the opportunity to win another elite beach tournament – but they are in no rush here in Hamburg.

“If you have that winning wave then of course you want to play as many games as you can when you’re ‘surfing’,” added Marketa. “But we’re taking it as it comes. Its’s a great opportunity here for us to take on the best in the world.

“The Australians won their first game yesterday, so came into this match having played and won so they had confidence so it’s pleasing for us to win a match like this in what is our first of the tournament.”

Barbora and Marketa’s next challenge is against the Germans Victoria Bieneck and Isabel Schneider in the final match of day two.

And it’s a match-up that the Czechs are really looking forward to.

“We’ll be on the center court again and yes, many people will be cheering for the Germans,” added Marketa. “There are no easy games but we’ll prepare now so we’re ready for the battle.”

The match takes place on the Red Bull Beach Arena at 9pm CEST – and you can watch it live on BeachStream.