Germany's Laura Ludwig lost her first match back from a two-year break at the FIVB Beach World Tour event in Xiamen ©Getty Images

Rio 2016 Olympic champion Laura Ludwig lost her first match back after a two-year break at the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Beach World Tour event in Xiamen.

Ludwig is playing alongside former Germany team captain Margareta Kozuch at the four-star event.

The duo lost their opener against Sanne Keizer and Madelein Meppelink of the Netherlands, despite winning the first set.

The final score was 18-21, 21-18, 15-8 to the Dutch.

Ludwig last competed in 2017, before taking time off to have a family. 

Rio 2016 Olympic champion Laura Ludwig took a two-year break to have a family ©Getty Images
Rio 2016 Olympic champion Laura Ludwig took a two-year break to have a family ©Getty Images

Elsewhere, top seeds Barbora Hermannová and Marketa Slukova of the Czech Republic secured victory. 

They comfortably beat Ukraine's Diana Lunina and Maryna Samoday 21-13, 21-16. 

The top seeds in the men's event also won their opening clash easily.

Anders Mol and Christian Sorum of Norway defeated China's Li Zhuoxin and Zhou Chaowei 21-13, 21-15.

The competition continues tomorrow.