Serbia beat Italy 13-7 today ©Getty Images

Defending champions Serbia maintained their 100 per cent record on day two of the International Swimming Federation Men's Water Polo World League Super Final in Ruza in Russia.

The reigning Olympic, world and European champions beat Rio 2016 bronze medallists Italy 13-7 at the Aquatic Palace in Group A.

It was a repeat of their semi-final in the Brazilian city last year.

The Serbians ran out winners en-route to winning gold on that occasion and proved too strong for their continental rivals once again today.

In the other match in Group A the United States, who lost in last year's final, recovered from yesterday's shoot-out defeat to Italy to beat Kazakhstan 14-10.

In Group B, Rio 2016 silver medallists Croatia also made it two wins from two today with a 12-7 victory over hosts Russia.

The United States defeated Kazakhstan today ©Getty Images
The United States defeated Kazakhstan today ©Getty Images

Australia defeated Japan 9-8 in the other Group B match.

All eight teams will progress to the quarter-finals, with the group stage determining who plays who.

The final will be played on June 25.

The Super Final is considered to be the most prestigious water polo prize outside of the Olympics and World Championships.

This year's edition of the latter will take place in Hungarian capital Budapest as part of the FINA World Aquatics Championships between July 14 and 30.