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Rampant Beijing Olympic gold medallists Brazil whipped the Netherlands for their fourth straight win to move within a whisker of retaining the women's World Grand Prix.

The brilliant Brazilians, who have not lost a match throughout the three qualifying weeks, just need to beat hosts Japan on Sunday in their last match to take the title for the eighth time.

They shrugged off a slow start Saturday to secure a 25-22, 18-25, 25-20, 25-16 victory over the Netherlands, leaving coach Jose Robert Guimaraes to conclude: "My team didn't do a good job."

Captain Danielle Lins added: "We couldn't play our usual game in the beginning because the Netherlands are good at high balls and they are quick. "But we started to serve better and block better and we were able to overcome the situation."

Dutch coach Avital Selinger was satisfied with his team's performance despite the defeat.

"I think our team did very well up to half way through to the third set. I'm very happy that we were able to play for some 45 minutes at high level against Brazil. We will try to maintain this level," said Selinger.

The top five teams after the three qualifying weeks and hosts Japan are competing in the six-team round robin final round here.

Earlier in the day, world champions Russia came back from behind in all sets before beating Germany 16-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-20 to keep their hopes of winning the title alive, though they need Brazil to slip up on Sunday.

"It was a nervous match. We couldn't play well, but we managed to overcome the tough situation, especially in the fourth set when we were behind," said Russia's coach Vladimir Kuzyutkin.

AFP