Update from Hermosa Beach Open

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In Kerri Walsh‘s first tournament back since she had a baby in May, she’s hanging around. She, along with partner and fellow new mother Rachel Wacholder, advanced to the quarterfinals by winning her first three matches.

They defeated qualifiers Dana Fiume and Shayna Munson, then beat Michelle More and Suzanne Stonebarger in the second round. In the third round, against Lauren Fendrick and Ashley Ivy, they lost the first game but won the second, 22-20. They were down in the third game but came back to win.

Next, they face Jen Kessy and April Ross, the new world champions, who also won their first three matches.

Top seeds Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs have won their first three games and advanced to the quarterfinals, as have Annett Davis and Jenny Johnson Jordan. Top men’s seed Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers won both their matches and face Ty Loomis and Casey Patterson at 9 a.m. Saturday.

-- Bill Brink