AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez
AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

Saxton & Schalk claim first win in Rio over Brazil

After dropping their opener match, Ben Saxton and Chaim Schalk came back to claim a big win at the Rio 2016 beach volleyball tournament.

The Canadian reacted to a loss in the first set and delivered a thrilling 2-1 (17-21, 21-18, 16-14) victory against the fourth ranked team in the world, the Brazilians Pedro Solberg and Evandro Gonçalves.

RELATED: Strong start for Canada in Olympic beach

Chaim Schalk in action at Canada vs. Brazil match the Rio 2016 beach volleyball tournament, August 9, 2016 / Photo via FIVB

Chaim Schalk in action at Canada vs. Brazil match the Rio 2016 beach volleyball tournament, August 9, 2016 / Photo via FIVB

After Canada and Brazil split the first two sets, Saxton/Chalk failed to convert on their first two match points in the tie-break, but kept focused and secured their first Olympic win.

With the result, Schalk and Saxton are one step closer to moving on to the next stage of the Rio 2016 beach volleyball competition.

On Thursday, the Canadian team will return to Copacabana beach to play the Cubans Nivaldo Diaz and Sergio Gonzalez.

RELATED: Canada’s growth in volleyball apparent in opening days of Rio 2016

Canada vs. Brazil match at Copacabana beach, Rio 2016, August 9, 2016 / Photo via FIVB

On Tuesday, Team Canada goes back to the sand for two more matches.

At 5:30 p.m. (ET), Jamie Broder and Kristina Valjas will face the German team of Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenworst. In the late night contest (11 p.m. ET) Sarah Pavan and Heather Bansley will meet Joana Heidrich and Nadine Zumkehr of Switzerland.