China and Cuba, the women's Olympic gold and bronze medalists respectively, confirmed their spots alongside hosts Japan in the final round of the 2005 World Grand Prix after winning their seventh straight matches on the opening day of week three of the preliminary round on Friday.

China beat the Dominican Republic in straight sets 25-20, 27-25, 25-19 in Hong Kong while in Taipei, Cuba cruised to a 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-18) win over South Korea.

The victories left China and Cuba as the only two unbeaten sides in the competition while Brazil, who beat the Netherlands, sit in third spot with a 6-1 win-loss record needing just one morewin to join them in the next phase.

Italy, the Netherlands, the United States (all 4-3), Poland (3-4) and even South Korea (2-5) are all still in with a chance toclaim a final round spot with two matches to play.

In Bangkok, the United States and Poland kept their final roundhopes alive with victories over Thailand and Japan respectively.

The United States recorded their fourth win from seven matches when they beat Thailand 3-1 (25-14, 25-20, 13-25, 25-22) while Poland beat Japan 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-22).

In Taipei, following Cuba's comfortable victory South Korea, world number two Brazil held off a brave effort from the Netherlands before securing a 3-1 (25-27, 25-19, 25-21, 25-17) victory.

The final venue in Hong Kong saw a brilliant 22-point haul fromNadia Centoni lead Italy to their fourth win when they beat Germany 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 26-24) in the opening match. Birgit Thumm was the leading scorer for Germany, who now have a 1-6 record, with 13 points.

The second match saw China hand the Dominican Republic their seventh straight defeat of the competition.

Following are the current standings after seven matches:

1. China

2. Cuba

3. Brazil

4. Japan

5. Italy

6. Netherlands

7. the United States

8. Poland

9. South Korea

10. Germany

11. Dominican Republic

12. Thailand

Editor: Donald