Brazil defeats US in straight sets in opener of Grand Prix final round

(BEIJING, July 9) -- World No. 1 Brazil defeated the USA 25-19, 25-19, 25-23 to begin the final round of the FIVB Grand Prix in Yokohama, Japan on July 9.

Brazil took the first set with relative ease, leading 8-7 lead at the first technical time-out (TTO) and increasing the lead to 16-11 by the second.TTO. The second set was more of the same. After a 4-4 tie at the beginning of the set, Brazil led the rest of the way, dominating with good blocks and powerful spikes and capitalizing on mistakes by the Americans.

The third set was a tense, back-and-forth affair, with both sides using multiple time-outs and substitutions to try to gain the upper hand. The Americans took a 23-22 lead off a Logan Tom spike but Brazil rallied with three consecutive points, clinching the match when American Tayyiba Haneef-Park's attack went wide.

Brazil is a six-time champion at the World Grand Prix and finished first in the preliminary rounds with an 8-1 record. The South Americans play Italy on Thursday; the American's next match is against Japan.