The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) event has been upgraded to four star status this year, as Espinho hosts its 15th men's and 10th women's competition.

Humana-Paredes and Pavan are currently the top ranked pair in the world and required all of their nous and experience to defeat Brazilian opponents Ana Patricia Silva Ramos and Rebecca Cavalcanti Barbosa Silva.

The Canadians lost the first set 21-15, but bounced back to prevail in the next two 24-22, 15-12.

They later won a second match today 21-7, 21-12 against Ukrainian pair Valentyna Davidova and Ievgeniia Shchypkova to guarantee their progression to the second round.

The duo will be hoping to claim their second victory at a four star event this year, having triumphed in Xiamen.

Canada enjoyed more success in the women's first round as Heather Bansley and Brandie Wilkerson beat Lézana Placette and Alexia Richard of France 19-21, 21-10, 15-4.

Qualification round action is still taking place in the men's draw before main round action starts tomorrow. 

The two Portuguese teams participating, Luis Gomes and Jose Silva and wild cards Luis Freitas and Tiago Pereira, each lost their qualifying matches.

Gomes and Silva were beaten 21-13, 21-16 by Stefan Basta and Lazar Kolaric of Serbia.

Dirk Boehlé and Steven van de Velde won 21-16, 21-19 against Freitas and Pereira.

United States’ Philip Dalhausser and Nick Lucena are beginning as the pairing to beat in the men’s competition.