Four-time champions Italy, Puerto Rico, Spain, Germany, Brazil and Venezuela have secured their place in the ITF Beach Tennis World Cup quarter-finals on Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro.

Italy and Puerto Rico have advanced from Group A following victories over Portugal and Japan respectively and will compete for top spot when they draw swords in their final group-stage clash on Thursday.

The Italians were at their imperious best as Giulia Gasparri and Ninny Valentini, who topped the podium at last month’s ITF Beach Tennis World Championships in Terracina, combined for their 61st match-win of the year.

The duo dispatched Manuela Cunha and Marta Magalhaes 6-0 6-2, although Valentini did admit she is still feeling the effects of the shoulder injury she picked up in Terracina.

“This is our first event since and I played a good match,” Valentini told itftennis.com. “My shoulder is improving and I am doing therapy, so I just need to continue to practice and play.

“I have had to adapt since the ITF Beach Tennis World Championships, but I am improving. When it comes to a smash, it is painful but okay, I have enough movement.”

Spain and Germany have also secured their place in the last eight and will be beginning to dream of lifting silverware after defeating Chile and Thailand to seal a top-two finish in Group C. Spain and Germany go head-to-head today.

“We are so happy to have this win, so much of what we did was so solid,” Spain’s Eva Palos told itftennis.com. “It is going to be a difficult match against Germany, but we have a lot of confidence. We know each other well and we will give our best.”

After beating France on day one, Venezuela reached the quarter-finals by outmanoeuvring South Africa and they will be guaranteed a top-place finish in Group D should they beat USA. The USA are battling with France, who dispatched the Americans 3-0, for second place.

Hosts and defending champions Brazil also sealed their place in the quarter-finals by beating Poland 3-0 – their second triumph of the week – and will face Curaçao as they bid to maintain their 100 per cent record.

Vitoria Marchezini, Brazil’s 16-year-old rising star, made her debut in the women’s doubles, playing alongside former No.1 Rafaella Miiller.

“It was so so much fun to play with Vitoria,” Miiller told itftennis.com. ”We are from the city of Rolandia and this was the moment that many people were expecting. I am so happy to play with her. Despite her young age, she held it in a good way.”

ITF Beach Tennis World Cup

Results 

Group A

Italy 3-0 Portugal

Puerto Rico 2-1 Japan

Group B

Brazil 3-0 Poland 

Latvia 2-1 Curacao

Group C

Spain 3-0 Chile

Germany 3-0 Thailand

Group D

France 3-0 USA

Venezuela 3-0 South Africa