Intro:

Larissa Franca and Juliana Felisberta of Brazil won their first gold medal of the season with a 21-13, 21-15 victory over Greta Cicolari and Marta Menegatti in Beijing on Saturday.

Script:

Reigning world champions Larissa Franca and Juliana Felisberta of Brazil faced the Italian duo of Greta Cicolari and Marta Menegatti in the final of the Beach Volleyball Grand Slam in Beijing on Saturday. 

Although it was the Brazilian pairs fourth appearance in the medal round so far this season, they were still searching for their first gold of the year. 

And they soon raced into a 12-7 lead. 

A controversial point followed with the umpire awarding Brazil a point as the ball skidded out of play, despite Cicolari arguing that it was Felisberta who touched the ball last.

The Italian was eventually shown a yellow card for time wasting and the Brazilian pair went on to take the first set 21-13.

Cicolari and Menegatti were determined not to give Franca and Felisberta an easy ride in the second set.

But the Brazilian pair's experience shone through as they closed out a 21-13 21-15 win to claim their first gold medal of the season.

For Felisberta, it put bad memories of her Olympic disappointment four years ago firmly behind her.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Juliana Felisberta
"Our first gold (medal) of the season. It's special because I have many bad memories in Beijing and now my life is good. I forget now the Beijing bad memories and now I hope my team get better and improve for the next tournament after two weeks off in Brazil."

Dutch duo Sanne Keizer and Marleen Van Iersel completed the podium.