Action begun today at the FIE Women's Sabre World Cup in Athens ©Eva Pavía/Bizzi Team/FIE/Facebook

Home favourite Despina Georgiadou will face top seed Sofya Velikaya of Russia in the last-64 of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) Women’s Sabre World Cup in Athens after coming through direct elimination today. 

The 27-year-old beat Russia’s Anastasia Bazhenova 15-9 before defeating Hungary’s Renata Katona 15-13 at the Athens Olympic Complex.

It sets up a clash with Velikaya, the world number one and Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist.

Second seed Cecilia Berder of France will meet Spain’s Elena Hernandez in the last-64.

In direct elimination, Hernandez overcame Turkey’s Nisanur Erbil 15-11 and fellow Spaniard Celia Perez Cuenca 15-9.

Competition also got underway at the FIE Men's Sabre World Cup in Padoue in Italy ©Trifiletti/Bizzi Team/FIE/Facebook
Competition also got underway at the FIE Men's Sabre World Cup in Padoue in Italy ©Trifiletti/Bizzi Team/FIE/Facebook

Action also begun today at the FIE Men’s Sabre World Cup in Padoue in Italy with medals due to be awarded tomorrow.

Over in Budapest, the FIE Grand Prix épée competition for men started at the BOK Hall.

World number one Yannick Borel of France has learned that home favourite Balint Bakos will be his opponent in the last-64.

On the other side of the draw, second seed Bogdan Nikishin of Ukraine will go up against Italy’s Valerio Cuomo.

The women’s event is scheduled to begin tomorrow with finals for both genders on Sunday (March 10).