Zhou Suhong's super serve helped defending champions China nail Australia in straight sets on Tuesday at the ongoing Asian women's volleyball championships.

China, who is perfecting their lineup for defending their title at the Beijing Olympics, got their campaign - to clinch the 11th straight trophy at the continent's biggest volleyball tournament - off to a shaky start, after losing to Japan.

Head coach Chen Zhonghe has been striving to inject fresh blood into the team, having been annoyed with the long-term injuries of veterans and, recently, trouble with unstable performances from newcomers.

However, the Aussies, with their crafts and experience clearly shaded by their Chinese counterparts, gave the Olympic champions a chance to get back on track.

China raced on to an 8-1 edge, and thanks to Zhou Suhong's serves in the first game they won with 25-5, the biggest win in any game so far in this event.

Australia went all-out in the second game, but their effort appeared insignificant in front of an in-form China holding an overall advantage.

The Oceanians conceded the second and third games with the same 25-15.

But the win could be less helpful than expected for the Chinese hope of their consecutive victories in the tournament, since Japan succeeded in extending their unbeaten record by beating Chinese Taipei.

China are to take on Kazakhstan on Wednesday.

(CRI September 12, 2007)