Red-hot China show fans why they struck gold

China gave Japan's fans a sample of their Olympic gold medal-winning form on the fourth day of the women's World Grand Prix final round yesterday.

But you had to be quick to see it. In a red blur, China demolished the previously unbeaten Brazil 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-19) in just 69 minutes to improve their win-loss record to 2-2 in the six-team tournament.

To put China's impressive display into perspective, a member of Brazil's technical staff was heard to mutter 'did anyone see the ball?' as he walked from the arena to the changing rooms.

That's how well China played, against the defending World Grand Prix champions who had won their opening three matches here against the Netherlands, Cuba and Japan.

The Chinese were never threatened and had the game's top-scorer in Yang Hao.

The 25-year-old power spiker from Liaoning scored 15 points, comprising 10 jack-hammer kills, three blocks and two service winners and she received solid support from Zhou Suhong and Zhang Ping, who scored 10 apiece.

The Brazilians were distinctly off-colour, not only because they wore white as opposed to their more familiar canary yellow, but because they failed to come close to China's motivation and energy.

'China are very good,' said Brazil's captain, Valeska Menezes, after the one-sided contest.

'We lost a lot of important balls because we were nervous and impatient. Against China it is impossible to play like that.'

With captain and setter Feng Kun once again commanding and composed, the Chinese attack was too fast and varied for Brazil's blockers.

The Brazilians were quiet and lacking inspiration, while China's players were clearly relaxed and enjoying themselves on the court.

'I could sense they were in a good condition today even before they came to the arena in the gymnasium,' said head coach Chen Zhonghe.

'Our attack was very smooth, and I'm very happy to beat Brazil in this way.'

In the day's other games, the Netherlands saved a match point in the third set before beating Italy 3-2, as did Cuba in the last set before holding off Japan 3-2 in an evening epic.

On completion of the fourth day, Italy and Brazil hold 3-1 win-loss records, followed by China and Cuba on 2-2 and Japan and the Netherlands on 1-3.