France, who had won their first four matches of the tournament, started strongly going two sets up before Serbia fought back to triumph 22-25, 24-26, 25-22, 25-23, 15-9.

The defeat for the French means Russia are now top of the table, after their straight sets win against Australia 25-19, 26-24, 25-21.

Six countries now sit on four wins with Russia on 13 points, followed by Poland, Slovenia, Brazil and France on 12 points, and Serbia on 11.

Slovenia beat Argentina 25-19, 25-22, 25-18 in the day’s opening contest, Poland overcame the United States 25-17, 28-26, 25-17 while Brazil also triumphed in straight sets winning 25-20, 25-16, 25-20 over Japan.

The second match to go the distance today was an all European affair with the Netherlands beating Germany 25-18, 23-25, 25-20, 23-25, 15-13.

In the day’s other matches Iran beat Italy 26-24, 29-27, 21-25, 25-22 while Canada overcame Bulgaria 28-26, 25-23, 25-16.

Another round of men’s matches are scheduled tomorrow before a three-day break as the women’s league resumes.