The United States and China staged an unexpected tight match in the Olympic women's water polo in Beijing Monday, but the US managed to held off China for a 12-11 victory.

The two tied after the first quarter and China was even one point in the lead in the second quarter. But the United States caught up and beat China 5-4 and didn't give China any chance to overtake.

The United States won the 2007 FINA World Championships. The Chinese team is making its Olympic debut in Beijing.

Also on Monday, reigning Olympic champion Italy beat Russia 9-8. Australia defeated Greece 8-6 and Hungary upset the Netherlands 11-9.

(Xinhua News Agency August 11, 2008)