Viacheslav Krasilnikov and Konstantin Semenov beat Americans Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena to top spot in Pool F ©FIVB

Viacheslav Krasilnikov and Konstantin Semenov of Russia earned a surprise victory over American sixth seeds Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena to claim top spot in Pool F at the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Beach Volleyball World Tour Rio Grand Slam.

The Russian duo, seeded 11th for the tournament on Copacabana Beach, came into the clash with Dalhausser and Lucena as outsiders but seized the initiative by taking the first set 27-25.

The American pair, fresh from winning the Maceió Open last month, fought back to square proceedings by clinching the second 21-17, sending the thrilling contest into a decider.

Despite the momentum seemingly being with the team from the United States, Krasilnikov and Semenov held their nerve, closing out an impressive win courtesy of clinching the third set 15-13.

“It was a very tough match in the heat today,” Semenov said.

“We lost a tough semi-final match to the Americans last September in Sochi on our home sand, so today’s victory was revenge in a way.

“It is still early in the tournament, but winning the pool and gaining a bye to the second round Friday gives us more time to recover from two tough matches today.”

Elsewhere in the men’s competition, home favourites and top seeds Alison Cerutti and Bruno Oscar Schmidt progressed to the next round in style with three consecutive Pool A victories, while fifth-seeded Alexander Brouwer and Robert Meeuwsen of the Netherlands also remained unbeaten in Pool E to secure their place in the 24-team elimination stage.

Three German teams reached the next round of the women's event by winning their respective pools
Three German teams reached the next round of the women's event by winning their respective pools ©FIVB

They will be joined by Grzegorz Fijalek Mariusz Prudel of Poland, who won Pool B despite suffering a marathon 16-21, 21-19, 20-18 defeat at the hands of Dutch duo Reinder Nummerdor and Christiaan Varenhorst.

Germany continued to dominate the women’s event in Rio as three of the nation’s teams booked their place in the next phase by winning their respective pools.

Fourth seeds Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst achieved the feat in Pool D, beating Italy’s Marta Menegatti and Viktoria Orsi Toth 21-16, 21-15 in their final game, while 10th-seeded Karla Borger and Britta Buthe reigned supreme in Pool G.

Qualifiers Chantal Laboureur and Julia Sude also sealed victory in their last pool match as they overcame Chinese pair Wang Fan and Yue Yuan 22-20, 21-15.

Action at the 2016 Olympic Games venue is due to continue tomorrow.