XI'AN - World No. 1 Poland started the 2025 Men's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Xi'an leg on the right foot as it overcame the Netherlands 3-1 here on Wednesday, while Japan defeated host China in straight sets.

In the season opener, last year's bronze medalist, Poland, was tested by 13th-ranked the Netherlands, who delivered a resilient performance and created several tense moments for the world's top-ranked side.

The first set saw both teams locked at 22-22 before Poland pulled away with three consecutive points to take it 25-22. In a near repeat in the second set, the teams were again tied at 22-22, but this time the Netherlands seized the chance to win 25-22.

"We were leading in almost every set, but at times we lost our focus and allowed them back into the game," said Poland's outside hitter Artur Szalpuk, who finished with a game-high 19 points.

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The Dutch continued to press in the third and fourth sets, testing Poland's defense, but the Poles remained composed in the key moments, clinching both sets 25-22 to seal the match.

"It was a tough game for us, because many players had their first match in the VNL. So for sure, it was a lot of emotion for them. It was a hard fight, but I think we played good and we took three points," Szalpuk added. "Now, we need to take a quick rest, because tomorrow we have another important game [against Japan]."

Host China fell to world No. 6 Japan 25-23, 25-14, 25-22. Although China held a lead midway through the third set, it failed to turn the match around, as China head coach Vital Heynen commented that "we don't use the chances".

"If you look at the details of the first set, we played very well. If you look at the statistics, we are better than Japan, but we don't use the chances. We made a couple of unnecessary mistakes, and that's a pity. We were not playing smart enough, and we didn't play together as a team."

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"I was hoping we would play like we do in training - perfectly as a team, knowing each other well and knowing what to do. But today I see a lot of mistakes in the team together. I guess it's the pressure. The pressure makes you start to doubt things we are doing on training, and that we have to find back," he added.

China will face Serbia on Thursday, who beat Türkiye 3-1 (12-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-23) late Wednesday.