China has rallied to defeat reigning world champions Italy 3-1 at the women's volleyball 2004 World Grand Prix Finals opening in the Southern Italian city of Reggio Calabria.

28-year-old Zhang Yuehong came from the bench to score 19 points to lead China to a 25-20, 25-23, 24-26 and 25-20 victory in Pool A.

The Chinese women, who lost to Italy on Saturday in the Hefei leg preliminaries, started strongly in the Pool A match as they showed strong determination and outstanding performance to retain the title.

Earlier on Wednesday, Cuba twice rallied from one set down to beat Brazil 3-2 in a pool B match, ending the latter's nine-game winning streak at the 2004 World Grand Prix preliminary round.

Six teams are competing in two pools at the 2004 World Grand Prix Finals. The top two finishers in each pool qualify for the semi-finals.

(CRI July 29, 2004)