Australian sprint king Cameron McEvoy has bounced back to qualify second fastest for the 100m freestyle semi-finals on Wednesday's fourth day of the world swimming championships in Russia.
McEvoy has had a frustrating start to the titles after being rested for the ill-fated 4x100m freestyle team's heat and finishing last in a fast 200m final on day three.
However, he stood tall in a 100m heats session so fast that 2013 world titles silver medallist Jim Feigen of the US failed to qualify for the semi-finals.
McEvoy ensures Australia still have a worthy 100m gold medal contender in the absence of James Magnussen (shoulder), clocking 48.33 seconds to trail only China's Ning Zetao (48.11).
But McEvoy was already thinking about going faster with Olympic and defending world champion Nathan Adrian of the US (seventh; 48.61) and Russian giant Vladimir Morozov (third; 48.46) lurking.
"It's going to be very quick. The 200m final was the quickest in history ... I have no doubt the 100 final is going to be something similar," Pan Pacs 100m champ McEvoy said.
"It was the quickest 100m freestyle heat I have ever done so that was nice - I was really controlled, too.
"I am in a good position for the semi-finals."
McEvoy was keen to blow off steam in the 100m after being rested for the relay team's heats on day one, only for Australia to fail to qualify for the final.
McEvoy was not beating himself up over his 200m final effort (one minute, 47.26 seconds) which was two seconds outside his personal best and a second slower than his 2014 Pan Pacs bronze medal showing.
Briton James Guy won the 200m title in Kazan in a scorching 1:45.14.
"I've been able to put (my 200m result) into perspective," McEvoy said.
"I've had quite a bit of self-reflection on that and I know areas that I can easily pick up and improve on for the future."
Meanwhile, golden girl Emily Seebohm was third fastest in the 50m backstroke heats.
Seebohm collected her second gold of the meet and first individual win at her fifth world titles by claiming the 100m backstroke title on day three.
HOW AUSSIES FARED ON DAY FOUR HEATS AT THE WORLD SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS IN KAZAN, RUSSIA:
* Women's 50m backstroke:
- Emily Seebohm (27.75 seconds) third fastest ahead of day four's semi-finals
- Madison Wilson (28.02) equal seventh fastest for semi-finals
* Men's 100m freestyle:
- Cameron McEvoy (48.33) second fastest ahead of day four's semi-finals
- Tommaso D'Orsogna (49.04) 18th fastest, misses semi-finals
* Women's 200m butterfly:
- Madeline Groves (two minutes, 08.65 seconds) ninth fastest ahead of day four's semi-finals
- Brianna Throssell (2:09.16) 12th fastest for semi-finals
* Men's 200m individual medley:
- Thomas Fraser-Holmes (1:59.96) 13th fastest ahead of day four's semi-finals
Australians featuring in day four finals:
- Emma McKeon (women's 200m freestyle)
- Mack Horton (men's 800m freestyle)
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