The Chinese team, with Wu Mengje scoring 19 points, defeated Egypt 25-17, 25-20, 25-12 in Ismailia to join three-time world champions Brazil on top of Pool A with a 100 per cent record.

Something will have to give tomorrow, however, as the two top sides meet.

Brazil earned their second pool win with a 25-14, 25-20, 25-12 victory over Cameroon.

Ismailia, on the Suez Canal, and Cairo are the bases for five days of action in four sets of pool matches.

In Pool B, also being played in Ismailia, defending champions Italy won their third match, beating South Korea 25-15, 25-14, 25-20.

Canada are also undefeated in Pool B after a tough match against Mexico, which they came through 15-25, 22-25, 25-18, 25-15, 15-11.

Two-time champions Russia maintained their perfect record in pool C with a 25-17, 25-14, 25-15 win over Belarus in Cairo.

There was a shock in the other pool C match as Thailand inflicted Romania’s first defeat in three games, winning 27-25, 22-25, 25-17, 25-17.

In Pool D, Bulgaria won their second match with a 25-17, 25-17, 25-12 victory against Congo.

Peru moved to the top of the pool - though with an extra game played compared to the two undefeated sides of Bulgaria and Japan - after beating Turkey 25-18, 25-16, 25-16.