Samoilovs/Smedins celebrate sensational A1 Major Klagenfurt triumph

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The Latvians do love Klagenfurt! And who can blame Aleksandrs Samoilovs and Janis Smedins after they powered their way to a first Swatch Major Series title at the A1 Major Klagenfurt.

They won 12 months ago on this very sand when lifting the European Championships and they followed it up with an absolutely thunderous victory on the banks of the Wörthersee.

It was the perfect way for 29-year-old birthday boy Smedins to celebrate. He was also named player of the tournament after a stunning week on the sand in Carinthia, as he showed wide he is one of the best players in the world with a devastating performance that helped him and Samoilovs beat battling Brazilians Guto/Saymon in the gold medal match.

Just like they did in their strong semifinal showing against Saxton/Schalk, the Latvians were simply too good. The Brazilians pushed Samoilovs/Smedins all the way in a gripping first set but the Gstaad Major bronze medalists got the job done 21-18.

The Brazilians were brilliant, bold and brave in their semifinal win over Poland’s Losiak/Bryl but, while they showed signs of their incredible talent against the Latvians in some breathtaking rallies, they simply could not live with the power of Samoilovs/Smedins.

And after just 35 minutes that was it – the match was in the bag, and the Latvians – who beat four teams, that like them, head to Copacabana on the way to this final – celebrated an awesome win in front of a packed Center Court.

Congratulations boys!