Reigning champions Brazil defeated China in four sets while host nation Italy shut out Dominican Republic in the first day of the preliminary rounds at the World Volleyball Grand Prix in Sasarri, Italy.

Danielle Lins set up plays with ease for the defending champions as four attackers scored double figures to oust China in four sets 25-21, 23-25, 25-17, 25-16.

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Fernanda Rodrigues scored 19 points to lead the Olympic Gold medalists, with team captain Fabiana Claudino close behind with 18 points. Thaisa Menezes and Endres Pereira De Carvalho contributed 16 and 15 respectively.

Ting Zhu could not do it alone for China, as she top scored her team with 24 points, 23 points coming from attacks and a point from blocks.

In the following match at the Pala Serradmigni, host country Italy used their experience to win against a young but aggressive team of the Dominican Republic in three straight sets 25-18, 25-23, 25-15.

Nadia Centoni led the Italian squad with 16 points, 14 from attacks and two block points while Elizabeth Martinez of the Dominican Republic topped her team with 19 points, 18 coming from attacks and a service ace.

Brazil will now face the Italians Saturday while China goes up against the Dominican Republic in Pool C of Division 1.

In other matches in Division 1, sixth-seeded Russia pulls off an upset defeating second-seeded U.S.  in four sets. Eleventh-seed Turkey upset third-ranked Japan in straight sets 29-27, 25-19, 25-21.

In Pool B, played at Hwaseong, South Korea, the host country dropped the first set but took the next three sets to beat Thailand 23-25, 25-22, 25-16, 25-20 while Serbia proved their dominance at the net as they finished off Germany in straight sets 26-24, 25-20, 25-15.

TagsDanielle Lins, Fernanda Rodrigues, Fabiana Claudino, Ting Zhu, Nadia Centoni