It was hardly a good day for the beach yesterday, but Misty-May Treanor and Kerri Walsh endured driving rain to take the gold medal in two sets from China's Wang Jie and Tian Jia.

The win continued the sheer dominance that has now seen the Americans win 108 straight matches since early last year and drop only three sets in the process. It is a remarkable stranglehold on a sport and there doesn't seem to be any promise on the horizon for their opposition. If they want to, they will dominate for the next four years and into the 2012 Games.

China's silver-bronze finish was a fitting outcome, considering the eight years of work the nation has put into beach volleyball. They wanted a good showing at home and the development really paid off. The teams dealt very well with the pressure and were able to harness the huge crowd backing to get the minor medals.

I am tipping the US to win the men's gold today in two sets. Their Brazilian opposition beat their more favoured compatriots in the semi-final and celebrated like they had won gold. The US are more businesslike and professional and should take the prize.