May-Treanor and Walsh, triple world champions, have not lost a match in almost a year and have still never lost a set at the Olympics since they first appeared in Athens four years ago.
On Sunday they beat Larissa Franca and Ana Paula Connelly 21-18 21-15 although they still criticized their own play.
"We're always hard on ourselves. Today our rhythm was off," May-Treanor said.
Nonetheless, they managed to exploit gaps in a Brazilian pair that only teamed up nine days ago when Larissa's usual partner Juliana pulled out with a knee injury. The new duo had a tough time gelling at first but improved hugely in the last couple of games.
Tian Jia (R) and Wang Jie celebrate their victory over Austria's Stephanie and Doris Schwaiger during their women's quartefinal round beach volleyball match at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 16, 2008. [Agencies] |
"It's been tough on them but they're Brazil and Brazil in beach volleyball is always going to be great, no matter what," May-Treanor said.
Ana Paula, 36, left the stadium in tears while Larissa took the loss on the chin and set her sights on London 2012.
"I feel very happy that we got over that challenge. Now I'll wait for Juliana to get better and we go again," she said.
Meanwhile, China's leading women's team Tian Jia and Wang Jie leapt up and down on the sand grinning and shouting after they beat Doris and Stefanie Schwaiger 21-12 21-12 to book their place in the semis.
"I couldn't help it. I've never been so excited in my life," grinned Wang, 24, as three-time Olympian Tian ran past giggling like a girl to greet her family.
The other two quarter-finals will be played later on Sunday.
