The US comfortably dispatched Belgium 25-9, 26-24, 25-20 to move to 30 points and open up a five point advantage at the top of the standings as the fourth week of women’s matches got underway in Rimini, Italy.

Three countries have eight wins to their name behind the US, although Brazil have second place to themselves with 25 points.

The Brazilians were also convincing winners, triumphing 25-22, 25-20, 25-23 in the final game of the day against Poland.

Japan overtook Turkey in the standings to move into third place after defeating them 25-17, 25-20, 17-25, 25-19.

Both teams now have eight wins to their name but Japan moved a point clear of their nearest rivals, on to 22.

Turkey in fourth are joined on 21 points by the Netherlands who were beaten 25-12, 25-18, 33-31 by Olympic champions China, leaving the Dutch as the only side with seven wins.

In sixth place, a point behind the Dutch are the Dominican Republic who registered their sixth win when they beat hosts Italy 25-21, 25-19, 22-25, 26-24.

Also on six wins, in seventh place, are Russia with 17 points, following a resounding 25-23, 25-17, 25-17 win over South Korea in the opening game of the day.

In the day’s other two matches Thailand came from a set down to overhaul Germany 24-26, 25-21, 25-21, 25-16 while Canada beat Serbia in four sets by a final scoreline of 25-21, 22-25, 25-21, 25-18.

Action is scheduled to continue tomorrow in the women’s competition, with the pick of the day’s matches set to be the US, gunning for an 11^th win in a row, against third-placed Japan.