Defending champions China fell to defeat against Peru on the opening day of the FIVB Women's Under-20 World Championship in Mexico ©FIVB

Defending champions China fell to defeat against Peru on the opening day of the International Volleyball Federation Women's Under-20 World Championship in Mexico.

Kiara Montes top scored for the South Americans as they triumphed 29-27, 18-25, 25-19, 20-25, 19-17 in the Pool B match at Domo de la Feria in León.

"It is a huge step against a rival as respectable as China," Natalia Málaga, head coach of Peru, said.

"This is just starting.

"We need to focus on the next matches to achieve our goal of being in Aguascalientes for the next stage of the World Championship."

Today’s other match in Pool B saw Poland beat Egypt 25-17, 25-14, 25-11.

Pool C is also being played out in León with Turkey and 2017 runners-up Russia picking up wins in their first outings.

Hosts Mexico got their Pool A campaign under way by beating Cuba in four sets ©FIVB
Hosts Mexico got their Pool A campaign under way by beating Cuba in four sets ©FIVB

Russia defeated Serbia 25-21, 30-28, 21-25, 25-22, while Turkey overcame Argentina 23-25, 25-18, 25-21, 21-25, 15-7.

At Hermanos Carreon Auditorium in Aguascalientes, action in Pools A and D began today.

In Pool A, hosts Mexico beat Cuba 25-16, 18-25, 25-17, 25-23 after Italy had defeated the United States 28-26, 18-25, 30-28, 25-22.

Brazil and 2017 bronze medallists Japan both made winning starts to Pool D with the former overcoming the Dominican Republic 25-12, 25-11, 25-20 and the latter claiming a 25-8, 25-9, 25-4 victory over Rwanda.

The top two teams from each round-robin pool will be split into two further pools of four – Pools E and F.

The top two sides from Pools E and F will then qualify for the semi-finals, with the bottom two meeting in a play-off to be classified from fifth to eighth.

Action is due to continue tomorrow.