truebluefan

Defending Olympic champions China, three-time Olympic gold medallists Cuba, World No. 1 Brazil and emerging threat USA advanced to the semi-finals of the Women's Olympic Volleyball Tournament in Beijing on Tuesday.

Cuba, Olympic gold-medal winners in 1992, 1996 and 2000, beat Serbia in straight sets (26-24, 25-19, 26-24) in front of 12,500 spectators at Capital Indoor Stadium in the first match the day. The Cubans now face USA in the semi-final after the Americans beat the Azzurri in five sets (20-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-18, 15-6) in the final match of the day.

In-between, Brazil blanked Japan (25-12, 25-20, 25-16) in their quarter-final in front of 12,500 and will play China in the last four after the hosts downed Russia in straight sets (25-22, 27-25, 25-19), watched by a fervent crowd of 13,000. The Brazilians are yet to drop a set in the tournament.

The Women's semi-final matches are on Thursday, August 21. Cuba and USA face each other at Capital Indoor Stadium at 12:30 local time, before China and Brazil face each other at 20:00 local time at the same venue.