NAGOYA: China beat Russia 25-23, 25-15, 23-25, 25-20 on Saturday to move into first place at the women's volleyball World Cup. Ting Zhu scored a match-high 29 points as China improved to 27 points atop the standings. China face hosts Japan on Sunday, the final day of competition.

Russia, which dropped to 8-2 and are in third place, next face Algeria. In other matches, Jelena Nikolic scored 11 points as Serbia won their ninth straight with a 25-11, 25-14, 25-19 victory over Kenya. Serbia are in second place with 24 points and will face Argentina on Sunday.