The match started and the Canadian duo quickly fell behind to their Dutch opponents, dropping five of the first seven points.Pavan and Humana-Paredes are the reigning world champions. It has been a long reign: they won the title in the summer of 2019, booking a ticket to Tokyo 2020 way back then. More than two full years later, they were finally starting the quest for Olympic gold. You could forgive them for being a little anxious.
They certainly did. Pavan and Humana-Parades, among Canada’s best bets for gold at Tokyo 2020, asserted themselves after that wobbly opening few points, downing the Dutch team of Katja Stam and Raisa Schoon in straight sets, 21-16, 21-14. The opening win in pool play sets the Canadians up with an excellent chance to advance to the Round of 16 with two pool games still to play.
Melissa Humana-Paredes of Team Canada looks on after returning a ball against Team Netherlands during the Women’s Preliminary round.“Even just seeing a couple of friendly faces makes a world of difference, so I was just soaking in that moment,” she said. “We have been waiting for this moment for so long,” Pavan said. “Last year was a roller coaster of emotions and to know that we had earned our berth so early and to have it put on pause was heartbreaking. But we stayed disciplined and motivated and accountable not only to each other but to our federation and our sport and to everybody who’s been supporting us. To be here and having everybody still supporting us and cheering us on means so much.
Source: Entertainment Trends (entertainmenttrends.net)