The US secured a ninth successive win beating the Italians 25-18, 25-21, 20-25, 25-16 to top the standings with 27 points.

They now have a six point gap to second placed Turkey on 21 points, who registered their eighth win by battling to a five-set victory against Russia 25-22, 22-25, 25-18, 18-25, 15-7.

Brazil are in third place in the standings but although they have one more point than Turkey with 22 they have one less win to their name with seven.

Brazil were today beaten in another five-set encounter by Olympic champions China 18-25, 25-22, 25-20, 14-25, 15-12.

The Netherlands also have seven wins and sit fourth with 21 points after today sweeping aside Canada 25-19, 25-12, 25-21.

Japan sit in fifth with 19 points and today moved to seven wins after coming from two sets down to overhaul Poland 22-25, 22-25, 25-22, 25-23, 16-14 in a thrilling encounter.

In the day’s other matches Thailand stayed winless after being beaten 25-16, 25-17, 25-23 by the Dominican Republic, Germany beat South Korea in straight sets 25-12, 25-21, 25-22 and Belgium triumphed in another five-setter against Serbia 23-25, 26-24, 25-21, 23-25, 15-10.

The women’s competition is now taking a three day break allowing the fourth week of the men’s event to get underway.

Three teams - Poland, Brazil and France have five wins in the men’s standings, with Poland and Brazil on 15 points and France won behind on 14 after nine matches.