Russiai target second gold

The Russian octet, which also included 2000 Sydney Olympic duet champions Olga Brusnikina and Maria Kiseleva, were awarded three perfect 10s for overall impression.

They compiled 99.333 points for their three-minute technical routine, half of which -- 49.667 -- will be carried forward to Friday's free routine final in their title defence.

Japan, featuring duet silver medallists Miya Tachibana and Miho Takeda, were one point behind in second place on 98.333, with 49.167 to take forward, and appeared to be heading for further silver medals.

The United States, who included duet bronze medallists Alison Bartosik and Anna Kozlova, were third on 97.167 for the technical routine, which involves the execution of various set-piece moves with names such as rocket bent knee and porpoise full twist. They take 48.584 forward.