Australian duo Sally Pearson and Michelle Jenneke have advanced to the semi-finals of the 60m hurdles at the world indoor athletics championships in Birmingham.
Reigning world 100m hurdles champion Pearson, who won this event in 2012, ran within herself in her heat to be pipped on the line by young Nigerian Tobi Amusan and qualify fifth fastest with a time of 7.96 seconds.
Amusan, who will compete in next month's Commonwealth Games, said beating Pearson, who didn't speak to the media after coming off the track, was one of the highlights in her burgeoning career.
"Sally Pearson is my role model so I feel sad to be beating her," Amusan said.
"But sorry, this is a business and you have to do your best."
Jenneke finished fifth in her heat, but scraped through to Saturday's semi-finals (Sunday 5.05am AEDT) as one of the fastest finishers outside of the top four automatic qualifiers.
The final will take place at 7.55 (AEDT).
American Kendra Harrison, who finished fourth behind the 2012 Olympic champion last year in London, clocked the best time with an eye-catching 7.77.
Harrison said she was determined to make a point in the opening rounds to send a message to Pearson and the rest of the field.
"Me and my coach decided to go out and run each round like it's the final and not to take these races for granted," Harrison said.
"I'm not worried about what people think of me, I'm just looking to go out there and run."
Ryan Gregson and Damien Birkinhead are in action for Australia in Saturday's morning session.
Gregson will run in a strong 1500m heat (22.18 AEDT) where he will be up against fellow Olympic finalist Jakob Holusa and Kenya's Vincent Kibet, who beat him in a race in Glasgow last week.
Shot putter Birkinhead will be looking to become Australia's first medal winner when he throws in the early hours of Sunday (AEDT).
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