 Cannot play media. Sorry, this media is not available in your territory. Video - US duo step closer to retaining gold Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor are one step closer to defending their Olympic beach volleyball crown after defeating Brazil in the semi-finals. The United States pair beat Renata Ribeiro and Talita Rocha 21-12 21-14 to advance through to the gold medal game. Walsh and May will play China's Tian Jia and Wang Jie, who beat compatriots Xue Chen and Zhang Xi 22-24 29-27 15-8 in the second semi-final. The US pair will be clear favourites, having not lost a match for a year.
 Cannot play media. Sorry, this media is not available in your territory. Video - Tian and Wang win all-China semi The US has now made the podium in all four Olympic tournaments since 1996 - and Brazilian Ribeiro thinks gold is a certainty. "It is so difficult to win against them like this," she said. "They are perfect. Nobody is going to beat them."  | We'll just focus on the match, we will not be disturbed by the audience |
Just as she did four years ago, May-Treanor sprinkled some of her mother's ashes on the sand before the semi-final, saving another portion for a similar ceremony before the final. Tian and Wang will be cheered on by a capacity crowd, but May says that will not affect their performance on Thursday. "We'll just focus on the match, we will not be disturbed by the audience," she said.
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