Australia's gold medal hope Mack Horton has sensationally failed to qualify for the 1500m freestyle final at the world swimming championships in Russia.
Earlier in the week, the 19-year-old also missed the 400m freestyle medal race in Kazan - another event in which he had hoped to at least podium.
World junior champion Horton clocked 15 minutes, 00.51 seconds on Saturday to finish 11th in the 1500m field.
It was well outside his personal best 14:44.09 that had earned him the world No.2 ranking.
He was almost 10 seconds behind top qualifier, Italy's Gregorio Paltrinieri.
Horton was at a loss after appearing to have bounced back in Kazan by claiming 800m freestyle bronze.
"I was battling a bit. I had a really good prep. I am not sure what is going on - it's pretty frustrating," Horton said.
Meanwhile, Australia's Cate Campbell overcame an emotional 100m freestyle final to top the 50m heats timesheets on Saturday.
After having her 100m title defence derailed by sister Bronte, Campbell clocked 24.40 seconds to be fastest ahead of Saturday night's 50m freestyle semi-finals.
Bronte Campbell was seventh fastest.
Cate Campbell admitted she was emotionally drained after being relegated to 100m bronze.
It was the first time sisters had shared a world titles podium in an individual event.
"It's never nice not performing to your best, while also having a high for your sister," she said.
"It's quite a juxtaposition of emotions which is hard to handle.
"But the 100m is in the past, the 50m is in the future and I can only handle what's happening in the present."
Bronte Campbell was relieved to have survived the 50m heats after the excitement of her breakthrough world title.
"It would have been a big screw up if I hadn't done that," she said.
HOW AUSSIES FARED IN HEATS ON DAY SEVEN OF THE WORLD SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS IN KAZAN, RUSSIA:
* Women's 50m freestyle:
- Cate Campbell (24.40 seconds) fastest qualifier for semi-finals
- Bronte Campbell (24.74) seventh fastest qualifier for semi-finals
* Men's 50m backstroke:
- Ben Treffers (24.74) third fastest for semi-finals
- Mitch Larkin (24.77) fourth fastest for semi-finals
* Women's 50m breaststroke:
- Lorna Tonks (31.22) 16th fastest qualifier for semi-finals
* Men's 1500m freestyle:
- Mack Horton (15 minutes, 00.51 seconds) 11th fastest, misses final
Australians to appear in day seven finals:
- Emily Seebohm (women's 200m backstroke)
- Jess Ashwood (800m freestyle)
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