Dalhausser, Rogers advance to semis at AVP Manhattan Beach Open

Dalhausser, Rogers win at Manhattan Beach

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. — Reigning Olympic gold medalists Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers went undefeated Saturday at the AVP Manhattan Beach Open to move into Sunday’s semifinals.

Dalhausser and Rogers, the second seed, moved through their third-round match in straight sets, then needed three to beat seventh-seeded Matt Fuerbringer and Casey Jennings, while Jennings’ wife Kerri Walsh and new son Joey watched for the first time together. Then, in the fifth round, Dalhausser-Rogers beat third-seeded Jake Gibb and Sean Rosenthal to make the semis.

Dalhausser and Rogers are trying to become the third men’s team in history — and first in nearly 25 years — to win four straight Manhattan Beach Opens.

The top-seeded women’s team of Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs cruised into Sunday’s semifinals, winning their third through fifth-round matches in straight sets.

The top-seeded men’s team of John Hyden and Sean Scott were upset in the fourth round and relegated to the contenders’ bracket.