World number one Brazil continued its unbeaten run in the Beijing Games women's volleyball tournament, needing only 73 minutes to blitz Japan in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

The reward will be a semifinal clash against either host China or Russia on Thursday.

Japan, having played with good defense but underperforming in attack since the preliminaries, was in a different league compared to a mightier Brazilian team, losing the first set at 25-12.

The Japanese only racked up six points in attacking to 13 from Brazi, and one service point to six of the Brazilian team.

The Japanese women, however, apparently raised their game in the seconde set, scoring 14 winners, but still six behind the Brazilian, who looked in a class of their own, with each player except for the libero scoring from every corner on the court.

After dropping the second set at 25-20, Japan were still keeping a high momentum and on back of their cemented defence, the team led for the first time in the match when they were up 9-8 in the third set.

But it turned out to be a flash in the pan as the Brazilian team found the range quickly and used an 8-3 run for a comfortable 16-12 lead at the second technical timeout.

On the resumption, the Japanese came back with serious trouble, watching their opponents reel off the next five points for a 21-12 cushion.

After a sizzling strike from Fabiana Claudino, Brazil closed out the match at 25-16.

(Xinhua News Agency August 19, 2008)