U.S. fencers advance

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BEIJING -- Sada Jacobson of Dunwoody, Ga., Rebecca Ward of Portland, Ore., and Mariel Zagunis of Beaverton, Ore., all have advanced to the quarterfinal round of Saturday’s individual saber competition.

Jacobson and Zagunis both advanced by 15-13 scores, with Jacobson defeating Olga Kharlan of the Ukraine and Zagunis downing Poland’s Bogna Jozwiak. Ward had the easier time in the round of 16, eliminating Hungary’s Orsolya Nagy 15-5.

Jacobson will next face another foe from the Ukraine, Olena Khomrova, while Zagunis takes on Bao Yingying of China and Ward meets Azza Besbes of Tunisia.