Sheng Yu Hong and Zhang Lijun starred for the gold medallists of Beijing 2008 as a tired Slovenia side failed to recover from the rapid loss of a first set.

Zhang Jun’s women will face the team that finishes second in Pool A, with Sheng not worrying about what lies ahead.

She said: 'It doesn't matter. We will train hard no matter who we face. We are expecting to win the gold medal.'

The USA beat Brazil 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-19) with top scorer Kathryn Holloway in fine form.

But it was Heather Erickson whose spike clinched the final set, teeing up a semi-final clash with Ukraine on Wednesday.

Jani Batista may have been on the losing side but she was looking to the future. 'This is our first-ever team at the Paralympic Games and we have been inspired to be playing at London. Our plan is to keep training hard for the next four years and to do well in Rio in 2016,' she said.

Ukraine are waiting for the USA after surviving a battling performance by Japan in Pool A.

The match eventually ended 3-0 (25-20, 25-9, 25-16) to the European champions as they responded well to their opponents’ early verve with a five-point run in the first set.

From then on, Ukraine dominated and sealed victory when Shiori Ogata misjudged a late reception.

Ukraine fancy their chances against the USA, with Valentyna Brik saying: 'We had a great team spirit and we never felt we could possibly lose even one set. We had a great block and of course, we are aiming for gold.' 

An impressive German men’s team beat Great Britain 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-14) in their Pool A match.

Alexander Schiffler and Heiko Wiesenthal were key to the play of the side ranked eighth in the world, spiking and blocking consistently to edge a frantic first set.

The hosts held a narrow lead in the third set, much to the delight of the crowd, but the Germans recovered to take the match.

Despite defeat, Britain will face the winners of Pool B, with Germany guaranteed top spot if they beat Egypt tomorrow.

Iran are yet to drop a set at London 2012 after seeing off Brazil 3-0 (25-21, 25-15, 25-17) in Pool B.

Winners of gold at five of the previous six Paralympics, Iran are well-fancied to make it six from seven in London, and they will top their pool if they defeat Bosnia-Herzegovina tomorrow.

Jalil Eimery said: 'Bosnia are going to be hard but we hope we can beat them.'

And right on cue, Bosnia-Herzegovina showed the Iranians exactly what awaits them with a confident 3-0 (25-7, 25-12, 25-8) victory over Rwanda in the last game of the day.

'We are not that bothered if we come first or second in the group but we will obviously give it our all and try to beat Iran,' said a victorious Mirzat Duran.