Top-ranked Americans survive on the beach

BEIJING, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Philip Dalhausser and Todd Rogers breezed to a win they had to have Wednesday in order to reach the knockout round of the Olympic beach volleyball tourney.

The American team, ranked No. 1 in the world, was stunned in its opening game last weekend and faced elimination if it did not win the second and third outings in its group.

Dalhausser and Rogers did so, first beating a team from Switzerland and then recording a 21-12, 21-13 victory over Marin Alejo Conde and Mariano Joaquin Baracetti of Argentina Wednesday.

That puts the Americans in the round of 16, which will take place next Friday.

"It's a fantastic relief," Rogers said. "We had to win this game. If we had lost, we would have gone home crying."

Their victory ensures that all of the U.S. beach volleyball teams will play in the knockout round.

Jake Gibb and Sean Rosenthal clinched its advancement from pool play by winning its first two matches. The teams of Misty May-Treanor/Kerri Walsh and Nicole Branagh/Elaine Youngs have also wrapped up spots in the round of 16.

May-Treanor and Walsh have won 103 consecutive matches and are seeking their second straight Olympic title.