China's Bao Yingying was beaten by US fencer Mariel Zagunis 9-15 in the quarterfinals of the individual event in women's saber on Saturday.

"I did not manage the speed very well today, and adjusted myself to the right form too slowly," said Bao after the game.

"I could feel the enthusiasm of the spectators. Actually I was not burdened with too much pressure today," she told reporters.

Zagunis, the Athens Olympic champion in woman's saber said, "We fenced together many times before, so we knew each other quite well."

Tan Xue, China's only gold medal hope for woman's saber was also stopped by Sofiya Velikayas from Russia at 9-15.

Sofiya Velikayas, and the entire U.S. woman's saber team including Mariel Zagunis, Sada Jacobson and Becca Ward entered the semifinals which is due to be held late on Saturday.

(Xinhua News Agency August 9, 2008)