US women sabreur Jacobson Sada, ranked first in the world, defeated Cuban Gonzalez Pozo Mailyn 15-11 Saturday in the first round preliminaries of the Olympic fencing event.

"It's tough match and I'm just getting into the competition. I'm just happy with the day," she said after the match.

Talking about the Chinese players, the U.S. fencer said they are very competitive rivals.

"Tan Xue has very strong chances. She has very good results in the past and she surely has a shot this time," Jacobson said, referring to China's medal hopeful Tan.

(Xinhua News Agency August 9, 2008)