Australian superstar Sally Pearson has won her first-round heat in commanding style to power into the semi-finals of the 100m hurdles at the world athletics championships.
Pearson, the 2012 Olympic gold medallist and 2011 world champion, clocked the third-fastest overall qualifying time of 12.72 seconds.
Racing at a global championships for the first time since claiming silver at the 2013 world titles in Moscow, Pearson looked all business on a sunny Friday morning at the London Olympic Stadium.
She made a solid start and steadily drew away from a field including long-time rival Dawn Harper-Nelson from the United States, the 2008 Olympic champ.
"It was a lot of fun out there," said the 30-year-old Pearson.
"I was pretty nervous because it has been a while since I've done a championship race but I felt comfortable.
"I feel I have more to give so I'm intrigued to see what I can do."
Pearson had battled a series of serious wrist, achilles and hamstring injuries in recent years.
She arrived in London in peak fitness but admitted after Friday's race that there were times when she wondered whether she would ever make it back to this level.
"You go through those thoughts thousands of times," she said.
"But there is something inside you which keeps you going and I'm glad I did."
Countrywoman Michelle Jenneke also scraped into the semi-finals on Friday evening (Saturday morning AEST), despite finishing sixth in 13.11 in what turned out to be the fastest of the five heats.
Also through to the semis were world record holder Kendra Harrison (12.60) and fellow Americans Nia Ali, Christina Manning and Harper-Nelson and defending world champion Danielle Williams from Jamaica."
Harrison set the fastest heat time and is the gold-medal favourite.
But the 24-year-old is yet to be tested in the white-hot atmosphere of a major final, having failed to qualify for the Rio Olympics.
"Winning definitely builds confidence, this round is about getting my legs ready," said Harrison.
"I'll come back, run fast and get ready for the finals."
Share
