Sada Jacobson was down early to Ukraine’s Olga Kharlan but rallied to win the bout 15-13 in the round of 32 at the Olympic Women’s Sabre event.
Kharlan took 5 straight points to lead early in the match 5-1. Unable to put together a rally of her own, Jacobson entered the 2nd period down by three points at 8-5.
Jacobson adjusted her distance and used a wide range of actions to take 7 straight points and a 13-9 lead. Kharlan attempted another run of her own and brought the match to 13-12. Jacobson pushed Kharlan down the strip, then when her attack fell short, drew Kharlan back to her side of the piste to set up a riposte and put her up 14-12. Kharlan took the next point and then protested a final touch awarded to Jacobson. The video replay held in Sada’s favor and she advances to the top 8.
25th seed Olena Khormova, who defeated Socha in the round of 32, also took out #6 Olga Kharlan 15-14. Khormova will face Jacobson in the round of 8.
Mariel Zagunis fenced a tough bout against Poland’s Bogna Jozwiak. The two fencers traded touches but Zagunis lead 8-6 at the break. After trading more points, Zagunis put together a 3 touch run to put her ahead 13-9 and rode out the lead to a 15-13 victory.
Becca Ward had an easier bout picking apart Orsolya Nagy of Hungary 14-2 before putting the bout away to win 15-5. Ward will face today’s featured giant killer, Azza Besbes of Tunisia who took out #7 seed Perrus (FRA).
The final 8 are rounded out by hometown favorite Xue Tan (CHN) who will face Velikaya (RUS) and Ying Ying Bao (CHN) will match up against Zagunis.