Pool E: Dominican Republic - Japan
Head-to-head
• This will be the second world championship meeting between Dominican Republic and Japan. In 1998, Japan beat Dominican Republic in straight sets in the second group stage.
• Their last two meetings at major tournaments ended in straight set victories for Japan. At the 2012 Olympic Games and the 2012 World Grand Prix, they won 3-0 in the preliminary round.
• Dominican Republic's only previous win against Japan at a major tournament came in 2008. At the World Grand Prix, they won 3-0.
Dominican Republic
• After winning their first seven matches of the 2014 world championship, Dominican Republic suffered a defeat against China: 3-2.
• Despite this defeat, Dominican Republic secured a passage to the third round.
• This match against China was their fifth five-set match in the tournament this year, most of all nations.
• Dominican Republic’s winning streak ended at eight matches. Before this streak they won only 10 matches in total and never more than two in a row at world championships.
Japan
• Japan lost 3-0 to Italy on Saturday and are out of contention for the third round.
• This was Japan’s first straight sets defeat since 2006. They won at least one set in each of their previous 18 matches until Saturday.
• Japan have played four five-set matches at this world championship, outright second-most of all nations. Only today’s opponents Dominican Republic have played more (5).