Tan Xue going down, young rising

China won a silver and bronze at the Sabre World Cup Grand Prix in Tianjin last weekend. Top fencer Tan Xue had a hard time and her young teammates made some impression.

China won a silver and bronze at the Sabre World Cup Grand Prix  in Tianjin last weekend. Top fencer Tan Xue had a hard time and  her young teammates made some impression.

What was it exactly that upset Christian Bauer so much?

Bauer's favorite apprentice Tan Xue was trailing her Beijing Olympic opponent Sophia Velikaia by a big margin at the semifinal of the Sabre World Cup.

This is Bauer training Tan one day before. The French coach did all he could do to bring the two-time Olympic runner-up to her best form and get revenge against her Russian rival, who had beaten Tan in Beijing.

But Tan was overwhelmed by Velikaia from start to finish.

Christian Bauer, Head Coach, said, "I feel very disappointed with Tan Xue's performance. She has not been aggressive enough for a long time."

Bauer said Tan has not yet emerged from the shadow of her Beijing defeat. The World Cup is a chance for her to re-regain some confidence.

Tan Xue, Olympic silver medalist, said, "I want to re-adjust my form and mind at the tournament. I need to re-establish my confidence and give myself a new start."

But Tan failed herself and Bauer's expectations. Bauer said Tan is a very competitive fencer, but needs more time to rediscover her energy.