Thiago and Pedro Cunha, the Brazilian champions in 2010, overcame Bruno/Hevaldo 2-0 (23-21, 21-16) to win the fourth stage of the Brazilian Circuit Beach Volleyball Open 2015/2016, in Bauru last week.

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Alison/Bruno Schmidt (here winning at Gstaad Major) were surpassed by Thiago and Pedro Cunha at Bauru Open, Brazil. Photocredit: Andreas Langreiter

In the bronze-medal contest, Alison and Bruno Schmidt got the better of Andrew and Daniel Souza. Dominating from the start, the world champions’ 2-0 (21-14, 21-17) win put them on the podium for the second time in the domestic season. They took silver in the opening event in Brasília.

The competition leaders are Guto/Saymon with 1,240 points. Bruno and Hevaldo moved up to fifth place with 1,080 points, while Alison and Bruno Schmidt are second on 1,160 points. Gold gave Thiago and Pedro Cunha 400 points but only the points won together are included in the rankings.

"I am very happy,” Thiago said. “The Bauru fans were fantastic; they supported us and we gave them our best volleyball in return. Peter and I had great times together and we knew we still had stories to tell. I'm glad that the rapport came quickly. Our intention with this return was to get back fighting for titles, and it happened very fast.”

The match started evenly, with the teams alternating the lead in the first set. Gradually, Thiago adjusted the block and the partnership took a 13-11 lead. Bruno and Hevaldo fought back to level at 19 and had two setpoints. But they couldn’t finish off the set, and Pedro Cunha closed it out at 23-21.

In the second part, perhaps killed by wasted chances, Bruno and Hevaldo struggled, and Thiago and Pedro Cunha opened up a big margin to cruise to victory.

It was the sixth stage victory on the Brazilian Circuit for Pedro Cunha and Thiago. They also have two silvers and two bronzes. Bruno and Hevaldo made it to the podium for the 13th time. They have a gold, eight silvers and four bronzes.

The Brazilian Beach Volleyball Circuit Open now moves on to Curitiba (December 3-6).