Action began today at the FIE Épée Grand Prix in Doha ©FIE/Facebook/Augusto Bizzi

Hungary's Zsombor Bányai came through the preliminary rounds today, securing a meeting with top-seeded Russian Sergey Bida in the last-64 of the men's event at the International Fencing Federation Épée Grand Prix in Qatari capital Doha.

Having initially advanced from Pool 7, Bányai registered three consecutive wins to book his place in the main draw at the Aspire Dome.

He beat Poland's Maciej Bielec 15-9, before defeating France's Arthur Philippe 15-11, then Czech Republic's Jiří Beran 15-14.

It sets up a clash with Bida, last year's world silver medallist. 

Second-seeded Italian Andrea Santarelli also knows his last-64 opponent, with Denmark's Conrad Seibæk Kongstad earning the right to face him.

Kongstad progressed from Pool 9, prior to overcoming South Africa's Pavel Tychler 14-13 and Switzerland's Georg Kuhn 15-7.

The men's event concludes on Sunday (January 26).

The women's competition starts tomorrow, also through to the last-64.