Lausanne, Switzerland, July 3, 2017 - Reigning world champions USA open the season with the very first match of the 2017 FIVB World Grand Prix, when they take on Russia in Kunshan, Friday. This is a rematch of the last year's semifinal in Bangkok, when USA won in straight sets. USA enjoy a slight advantage of 13-12 in the head-to-head series of the two sides in the World Grand Prix.
Head-to-Head• United States and Russia have met on 25 previous occasions in the World Grand Prix. USA have a slight edge with 13 wins against Russia's 12.
• Only Brazil (18) have beaten Russia more often in the competition than United States (13).
• United States have won the last four World Grand Prix meetings with Russia, including last year's semifinal.
• United States have won at least one set in their last 19 encounters with Russia in the competition, since the 3-0 group defeat in 1997.
United States• United States have appeared in 23 of the previous 24 editions of the World Grand Prix, with the exception of 1999. Only China and Japan have participated in more (24).
• They have won the competition six times, only trailing Brazil (11). Four of their six wins came in the last seven editions (2010-2012, 2015).
• Last year, United States lost the final to Brazil in five sets.
• United States have won at least two sets in 29 of their last 30 World Grand Prix matches, combining for a total of 85 sets won in this streak. They managed to lose only 25 sets in these 30 matches.
Russia• This will be Russia's 21st World Grand Prix participation. They won the competition three times: 1997, 1999 and 2002.
• Only Brazil (18) have claimed more podium finishes in the World Grand Prix than Russia (13).
• Last year, Russia finished in fourth place after losing the bronze medal match to Netherlands in five sets.
• Russia lost only one of their nine World Grand Prix group matches in 2016, the 3-2 defeat to Serbia.