Wilkerson, Bukovec earn world silver medal in hard-fought beach volleyball final

Canada's world title reign in women's beach volleyball ended on Sunday in Rome.

Brazil's Eduarda (Duda) Lisboa and Ana Patricia Ramos, who won three junior titles together, have their first at the senior level after defeating Sophie Bukovec and Brandi Wilkerson of Toronto 21-17, 21-19 in an entertaining gold-medal match at the Foro Italico.

Wilkerson and Bukovec, the latter competing at her first worlds, were trying to follow 2019 champions and fellow Canadians Sarah Pavan and Melissa Humana-Paredes, who lost in the quarter-finals.

Wilkerson's best finish in her two previous world championship appearances was fifth in Vienna in 2017.

"We came here expecting to win just like everybody else, but managing that is either helping you or hurting you," Wilkerson said following Saturday's three-set semifinal victory over Germany's Cinja Tillman and Svenja Muller.

"I think a big thing for us is just enjoying a good level of volleyball, and if that means we end up winning, that's great."

Worlds was only the fourth tournament together for Bukovec and Wilkerson, who became on-court partners in February after the latter split from Heather Bansley.