SHANGHAI, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Hosts China beat Group B leaders Canada 9-7 to historically enter women's water polo semifinals of the 14th FINA Worlds Championships here on Monday.
　　Under huge support from home crowds, Chinese girls usurped the lead from the very beginning and never looked back to book a last-four berth for the first time, which is the best record Chinese team has ever made in the World Championships.
　　After tying 8-8 in regular and 9-9 in extra-time period, Italy survived the gruelling penalty shootout for a 14-12 win over Australia in the women's water polo quarterfinal.
　　The two powerhouses played to an 8-8 draw after four quarters and buried one apiece in the extra-time period respectively.
　　In the shootout penalties, Italian goal keeper refused Glencora Ralph's attempt and Teresa Frassinetti scored the winner.
　　In another upset, Greece hammered Olympic champion the Netherlands 12-10 to book a final-four berth.
　　A second-quarter nightmare ruined the Netherlands' hope of moving forward. Leading 4-3 in first period, the Netherlands suffered a 5-1 fiasco in the second and couldn't come back no matter what it did.
　　Meanwhile, the reigning champion the United States was taken down 9-7 by Russia who made a big comeback win in the quarterfinal.
　　Rallying from four goals down 6-2 in the third quarter, Russia scored seven straight shots to lead for sure with 47 seconds left. The late goal scored by Kelly Kristen Rulon didn't change anything.
　　The United States did a good job in the preliminary round with two wins and one draw to claim the group A leadership. While beaten by Greece 6-5 in Group C, Russia ranked the second.
　　The semifinals of the women's water polo will be held on Wednesday.
　　Under huge support from home crowds, Chinese girls usurped the lead from the very beginning and never looked back to book a last-four berth for the first time, which is the best record Chinese team has ever made in the World Championships.
　　After tying 8-8 in regular and 9-9 in extra-time period, Italy survived the gruelling penalty shootout for a 14-12 win over Australia in the women's water polo quarterfinal.
　　The two powerhouses played to an 8-8 draw after four quarters and buried one apiece in the extra-time period respectively.
　　In the shootout penalties, Italian goal keeper refused Glencora Ralph's attempt and Teresa Frassinetti scored the winner.
　　In another upset, Greece hammered Olympic champion the Netherlands 12-10 to book a final-four berth.
　　A second-quarter nightmare ruined the Netherlands' hope of moving forward. Leading 4-3 in first period, the Netherlands suffered a 5-1 fiasco in the second and couldn't come back no matter what it did.
　　Meanwhile, the reigning champion the United States was taken down 9-7 by Russia who made a big comeback win in the quarterfinal.
　　Rallying from four goals down 6-2 in the third quarter, Russia scored seven straight shots to lead for sure with 47 seconds left. The late goal scored by Kelly Kristen Rulon didn't change anything.
　　The United States did a good job in the preliminary round with two wins and one draw to claim the group A leadership. While beaten by Greece 6-5 in Group C, Russia ranked the second.
　　The semifinals of the women's water polo will be held on Wednesday.
