Eli Dershwitz won the men's sabre on a successful opening day for the United States at the Pan American Fencing Championships in Toronto ©Getty Images

Eli Dershwitz and Nicole Ross won the men's sabre and women's foil, respectively, on a successful opening day for the United States at the Pan American Fencing Championships in Toronto.

Dershwitz, the 2018 world silver medallist, beat compatriot Daryl Homer, the 2015 world and 2016 Olympic silver medallist, 15-14 in the men's sabre final at the Canadian city's Delta Hotels Toronto Airport and Conference Centre.

He had earlier defeated home favourite Joseph Polossifakis 15-10 in the semi-finals.

Polossifakis was joined on the third step of the podium by Argentina's Pascual Maria Di Tella, who lost 15-3 to Homer in the other last-four clash.

Nicole Ross held off a strong home challenge to claim the women's foil title ©Getty Images
Nicole Ross held off a strong home challenge to claim the women's foil title ©Getty Images

In the women's foil final, Ross overcame Canada's Jessica Zi Jia Guo 11-10.

The 2018 world team gold medallist reached the final by beating another Canadian, Eleanor Harvey, 6-5.

Harvey was one of the two bronze medallists alongside compatriot Kelleigh Ryan, who lost 15-10 to Guo in the penultimate round.

Competition is due to continue tomorrow with the men's foil and women's épée events.