Lausanne, Switzerland, June 5, 2018 - After losing to Brazil in five dramatic sets on Tuesday, China next host Russia, Wednesday in Jiangmen. China could now lose three matches in a row for the first time since the 2016 FIVB World Grand Prix. Russia are also coming from a defeat (in straight sets to USA), but do slightly lead the head-to-head with China 30-28.
Head-to-Head
• There have been 58 matches between China and Russia (including the Soviet Union and CIS) at world level major tournaments. The Russians lead the head-to-head 30-28. Only Brazil (37) have won more world level major tournament fixtures versus the Chinese.
• The women's world level major competitions are: the VNL, Olympic Games, World Championships, World Cup, World Grand Prix and Grand Champions Cup.
• China have won five of their last six world level major tournament matches versus Russia, directly following a run of five consecutive world level major tournament defeats against them.
• Russia have won only one of their last six world level major tournament matches against China, a 3-1 victory in Hong Kong, China, at the 2017 World Grand Prix.
• The most recent world level major tournament match between China and Russia came at the 2017 Grand Champions Cup. The Chinese won in straight sets in Nagoya.
China
• China started their fourth week of the VNL with a 3-2 defeat against Brazil on Tuesday. It was the 200th defeat for China in world level major competitions.
• China scored 15 more points than Brazil (112 - 97) and netted more points from spikes, blocks and serves than the Brazilians. Brazil only claimed more points from opponents' errors (28 v 22).
• China could now lose three successive VNL matches for the first time.
• The last time China lost three matches in world level major competition in a row was at the 2016 World Grand Prix.
• China could suffer at least three five-set defeats at a single world level major tournament for the first time since the 2014 World Grand Prix (also three).
• Zhu Ting scored 34 points against Brazil, at least twice as many as any of her teammates. On the Brazilian side, Tandara Caixeta was top scorer on 19 points.
Russia
• Russia lost 3-0 against United States on Tuesday to suffer their fourth VNL defeat (W6-L4). All Russia's four losses in the competition have come by a 3-0 scoreline.
• Russia have lost seven of their last eight world level major tournament matches played in China, with the only exception in that run a 3-1 victory against the hosts in Hong Kong, China, at the 2017 World Grand Prix.
• Kseniia Parubets scored a team-high 12 points in Russia's 3-0 loss versus USA. Only Irina Voronkova (138) has won more VNL points for Russia than Parubets (110).
• Voronkova has been Russia's leading scorer in four of their last five VNL matches.