China swept Canada 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-18) in the ladies’s sitting beach ball semifinals at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games in North Paris Arena on Thursday, led by captain Xu Yixiao’s excellent efficiency. The success establishes a 5th successive Paralympic last face-off with the United States, where China will go for their record 4th gold medal.

Xu was the standout gamer, leading all scorers with 17 points, consisting of 10 attacks, 4 blocks, and 3 aces. Tang Xuemei contributed 12 points, while Zhang Lijun included 10. On the Canadian side, Sarah Melenka top-scored with 12 points, while Danielle Ellis and Heidi Peters both cracked in with 11.

The match started with Xu making an instant effect, obstructing Canada’s captain Ellis to open the scoring. China rapidly developed a 9-3 lead, with contributions from all their gamers, showcasing a well-rounded attack. Canada, led by Ellis and Julie Kozun, attempted to remain in the contest and cut the result in 10-7. However, China continued to use pressure, and with their well balanced offending technique, they expanded the space to 24-15. Despite Ellis conserving one set point, a service mistake from Melenka handed China the set at 25-16.

China brought their momentum into the 2nd set, with Xu and Tang Xuemei taking control at an early stage. Canada briefly reacted, with Peters leading a service run that minimized the Chinese result in 7-5. Nevertheless, China’s technique of spreading out the ball to various enemies kept the Canadian defence on the back foot, permitting them to extend the result in 14-10. A string of Chinese mistakes provided Canada hope as they closed the space to 24-22, however Tang’s effective spike ended the set 25-22, providing China a two-set benefit.

In the 3rd set, Xu when again opened the scoring, breaking through Canada’s defence. Although China took an early lead, the Canadians combated hard, ultimately equalising at 15-15 after Kozun landed an ace. Xu stepped up at a defining moment, while back-to-back Canadian mistakes required coach Nicole Ban to call a timeout with ball game at 13-10. Ellis kept the battle alive, cutting the result in 15-14, and Kozun’s ace levelled ball game at 15-15. Both groups traded attacks in a tense exchange, however it was China that acquired a vital two-point edge at 19-17, thanks to Tang’s attacks. Xu continued her dominant play, assisting China construct a 22-17 lead and establishing match point at 24-18. Wang Yanan provided the last blow, closing the set and match 25-18.

Photo: WPV/Sinisa Kanizaj.