Humana-Paredes, Wilkerson ousted from Brazil beach volleyball event by Olympic-hungry Swiss duo
Canadians already assured of Paris Games berth based on world No. 4 ranking
For the second time this week, a Canadian women's beach volleyball duo was defeated by a highly motivated Swiss tandem at the Elite16 pro tour event in Brasilia, Brazil.
Toronto's Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson were the latest to fall to Esmee Bobner and Zoe Verge-Depre, dropping a three-set decision (21-18, 23-25, 10-15) on Saturday.
Bobner and Verge-Depre, who began the week ranked 19th in the world and looking to earn valuable points in the race to clinch an Olympic spot for Paris this summer, were scheduled to face No. 13 Ágatha Bednarczuk and Rebecca Cavalcanti in the quarterfinals later Saturday.
On Wednesday, Bobner and Verge-Depre faced Sarah Pavan and Molly McBain, ranked 20th, and swept the Canadians 21-17, 21-18 in the qualification round.
Based on their No. 4 ranking, Humana-Paredes and Wilkerson have earned an Olympic spot after playing only 12 tour events since partnering in October 2022.
WATCH | Full match coverage: Humana-Paredes, Wilkerson vs. Switzerland:
Humana-Paredes and Wilkerson arrived in Brasilia two weeks after a fifth-place finish in Tepic, Mexico, where they lost 21-15, 21-19 in the quarterfinals to another Swiss team, Tanja Huberli and Nina Brunner, the reigning European champions.
In Brasilia, the Canadians placed second in group play, opening with a 2-1 decision over world No. 12 Taina Bigi and Victoria Lopes.
Humana-Paredes and Wilkerson played twice on Friday, suffering their first loss at the hands of sixth-ranked Katja Stam and Raisa Schoon in a sweep.
The Dutch duo also beat their opponent in the quarterfinals of the 2023 season opener in Doha, Qatar, Humana-Paredes and Wilkerson's first Beach Pro Tour event as partners.
The Canadians carried some momentum into Saturday following a 21-14, 24-22 victory over Germany's Sandra Ittlinger and Karla Borger, who won the Tepic16 event.
