Beach volleyball players Martin Ermacura/Philip Waller have reached the semi-finals of the ProTour Challenge tournament in Saquarema.

The qualifiers defeated compatriots Ruben Seidl/Moritz Prestos 2:1 (-19,30,13) on Saturday, and in the quarterfinals they defeated Spanish veterans Pablo Herrera/Adrian Gavira 2:0 (15,12).

Their opponents in Sunday's semi-final are the Cubans Noslin Diaz/Jorge Alayo, who eliminated Julian Hurl/Alex Horst 2-0 (14.17).

Ermacura/Waller showed a strong second tournament in Brazil after a long forced break from Waller. “Coming back like this after the lung injury and surgery is amazing,” Waller said. “I'm very proud of our performance, and now we're looking forward to the finals.”

Hörl/Horst is just shy of Olympic qualification

Ermacora reported on the roller coaster ride. “First the battle against our former partners and now a dry victory over the old masters of Spain.”

Dorina and Ronja Klinger were eliminated in the round of 16. With their fifth place finish, Hörl/Horst took a big step towards the Olympics. The top-ranked ÖVV duo can in theory only be denied a place in the field for the Summer Games in Paris.