Superstar U.S. beach duo opens with win

BEIJING, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- The indomitable American beach volleyball duo of Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor easily won their first match of the Beijing Olympics Sunday.

Seeking their second straight Olympic gold medal, Walsh and May-Treanor won their 102nd consecutive match. They have captured 18 tournament titles in a row.

In the opening match of the day, Walsh and May-Treanor defeated the Japanese pair of Mika Saiki and Chiaki Kusuhara 21-12, 21-15.

The Americans will play two more matches in Pool B before starting the knockout portion of the event. They will play again early Tuesday against a Cuban team.

The other women's pair from the United States in the Games, Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs, won their opening Pool E match Saturday.

Walsh and May-Treanor trailed 7-4 in the second set before going on a 9-3 run that put them in charge.