China held off 2007 World Championships bronze medalist Russia on Wednesday by a stunning 13-11 win in water polo at the Beijing Olympics.

China led 3-2 at the first quarter break but Russia leveled 7-7 at half-time. Russia twice held two-goals leads in the third session but less than two minutes into the fourth period Teng Fei leveled at 10-10.

Eketerina Pantyulina scored Russia's last two goals for 11-10 but Sun Yujun netted her third and then Sun Huizi contributed another two, sealing the victory for China.

Having suffered two defeats, Russia cannot advance to the quarterfinals and will now only be playing for seventh or eighth position on Sunday. China still has a medal chance thanks to this result.

China lost to the United States 12-11 in Monday's competition.

In the other games on Wednesday, the United States and Italy leveled 9-9. The Netherlands beat Greece 9-6, and Australia and Hungary tied 7-7.

(Xinhua News Agency August 13, 2008)