Quarter-final day at the ITF Beach World Championships on Friday brought high drama and soaring emotions for both spectators and players, with half of the matches decided by tense tie breaks.

Nikita Burmakin and Tommaso Giovanni (ITA) found themselves five points down in the match tie break against Carlos Vigon (VEN) and Diego Bolletinari (ITA) – a déjà vu moment from Thursday’s comeback victroy against Dioga Chaves Donner Carneiro (BRA) and Marcelo Reck (BRA). Despite saving one match point, Vigon and Bolletinari clinched the match 1-6, 7-5, 11-9.

In the semi-finals, Carlos and Diego will face the formidable No. 2 seeds, Baran (BRA) and Cappelletti (ITA), who have had a stellar run so far this tournament, storming their way through to the semi’s without dropping a single set. While Baran and Cappelletti chase their first title as a pair, Cappelletti has his sights set on a personal milestone — his sixth championship.

The tension was equally palpable in the match between Matthieu Geugano (FRA) and Hugo Russo (BRA) and Italian qualifiers Peter Campedelli and Giacomo Gabellini. Saving two match points, Geugano and Russo held their nerve in front of an ecstatic centre court crowd, edging out the Italians 6-3, 4-6, 13-11. In the semi-finals, they will meet the top-seeded defending champions, Nicolas Gianotti (FRA) and Mattia Spoto (ITA). The pressure is on for the reigning champions, as a loss would see World No. 3 Michele Cappelletti reclaim the top spot in the rankings.

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In the women’s draw, Flaminia Daina (ITA) and Nicole Nobile (ITA) went point-to-point with Ariadna Costa Graell (ESP) and Veronica Casadei (ITA), evoking memories of their epic Saarlouis semi-final last month. Once again, Ariadna and Veronica emerged victorious in a nail-biting match tie break, winning 4-6, 7-6 (5), 10-8. They will now face the World No. 1 and defending champions in Friday’s semi-final showdown.

The all-Italian quarter-final on centre court provided yet another emotional rollercoaster. Ninny Valentini and Giulia Gasparri saved multiple match points in a gripping tie break before sealing the win 7-6, 4-6, 11-9. Their semi-final opponents, 19-year-olds Kuminova and Semenova, have defied expectations with a dream run, setting the stage for an exciting clash on Friday.