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Jonathan White

This was not the title defence that anyone was expecting.
Rio 2016 women’s volleyball gold medallists China were favourites to challenge again in Tokyo, but they now find themselves winless after three games.
It was the Russian Olympic Committee’s turn to beat them in the Ariarke Gymnasium on Thursday, edging a 3-2 thriller that China had threatened to take.
There was drama throughout but never more so than when China thought they had amassed a third match point.

China had gone up 24-23 in the fourth set, leading 2-1 after Russia had won the opener.
They had been so dominant in the set – on the back of winning their first two sets of these Olympics – that the Chinese press were making their way to interview the players.
But Russia saved two match points, and an official review denied China a third, handing a set point instead to their opponents, which they took to force a first-to-15-points decider.
Both teams gave it their all, battling back and forth until Russia settled it 15-12, China coach Lang Ping’s final roll of the dice with a time out just before the winner failing to pay off.
The Russians rejoiced after a second win, which gives them a strong chance of being one of the four top teams in this group of six going to the quarter-finals.
In contrast, China’s players trudged silently to the bench, the No 2 team in the world winless after three matches here.
The champions must beat both Argentina – also 0-3 – and Italy, who have a 100 per cent record, to keep alive any hopes of defending their title, but even then two victories might not be enough, with their fate out of their hands.



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Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Tokyo Olympics: Russia beat China to leave  women’s volleyball champions on the brink of exit

Li Yingying falls on the ground during China’s group B volleyball match defeat by the Russian Olympic Committee. Photo: Xinhua

Russia's Irina Voronkova hits the ball in the women's preliminary round pool B volleyball match between China and Russia during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on July 29, 2021. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)

Russia's players celebrate their victory in the women's preliminary round pool B volleyball match between China and Russia during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on July 29, 2021. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)

Tokyo Olympics: USA beats China in women’s volleyball to leave reigning champions winless

China’s Zhu Ting (left) spikes during the women's volleyball preliminary round match between China and the United States at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Photo: Xinhua

Tokyo Olympics: China thrashed by Turkey in women’s volleyball opener, US next with star Zhu Ting an injury doubt

China’s Wang Yuanyuan spikes the ball in the women’s preliminary round pool B volleyball match against Turkey at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Photo: AFP

Turkey's players celebrate their victory in the women's preliminary round pool B volleyball match between China and Turkey during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on July 25, 2021. (Photo by Yuri Cortez / AFP)

China's Gong Xiangyu sets the ball in the women's preliminary round pool B volleyball match between China and Turkey during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on July 25, 2021. (Photo by YURI CORTEZ / AFP)

Sport

China


Lang Ping’s side finally win their first sets of the tournament, after going behind again, but allowed the Russians to fight back
Chinese were favourites to challenge US for gold but have also lost to Turkey and world No 1 rivals, with fate out of their hands



Chinese were favourites to challenge US for gold but have also lost to Turkey and world No 1 rivals, with the fate of Lang Ping’s side out of their hands.
