Canada's Maximilien van Haaster is set to meet top seed Race Imboden of the United States in the last-64 of the FIE Men’s Foil World Cup in Cairo ©Augusto Bizzi/FIE/Facebook

Canada's Maximilien van Haaster is set to meet top seed Race Imboden of the United States in the last-64 of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) Men’s Foil World Cup in Cairo after coming through the pool stage and direct elimination today.

Van Haaster initially advanced from Pool Five with two victories before beating Kenta Suzumura 15-12 and then another Japanese athlete, Toshiya Saito, 15-13 to secure his place in the main draw at the Cairo Stadium's Indoor Halls Complex. 

Awaiting him there is Imboden, the three-time world team silver medallist.

Second seed Alessio Foconi also learned who his last-64 opponent will be with Russia's Iskander Akhmetov earning the right to face the Italian.

Italy's Erica Cipressa is through to the main draw of the women's event ©Augusto Bizzi/FIE/Facebook
Italy's Erica Cipressa is through to the main draw of the women's event ©Augusto Bizzi/FIE/Facebook

Action also began today in the FIE Women's Foil World Cup with Italy's Erica Cipressa setting up a clash with top seed Inna Deriglazova of Russia.

Cipressa progressed from Pool 18 with two victories prior to defeating Hungarians Kata Kondricz and Aida Mohamed by the same scoreline of 15-6.

Second seed Alice Volpi, the reigning world champion, will meet fellow Italian Chiara Cini in the last-64.

Individual competition is due to conclude tomorrow and will be followed by the team events on Sunday (March 3).