Comeback queen Sally Pearson has thrown down the gauntlet by qualifying fastest for the 100m hurdles final at the world athletics championships in London.
Pearson dominated the first of the three semi-finals on Friday evening, winning in 12.53 seconds - a full tenth of a second quicker than anyone else.
"I don't have anything to lose," the Queenslander said.
"I've done everything I could possibly do in the sport - it's just a matter of how much further can I go and what else can I get."
World record holder Kendra Harrison went within a whisker of missing a berth in the final after crashing into the opening barrier in her semi.
The American recovered well enough to finish third and claim the last available qualifying berth in 12.86, sneaking through by one hundredth of a second.
But, like everyone else, the woman Harrison will be chasing in the final on Saturday (early Sunday AEST) will be Pearson.
The 2011 world champion and 2012 Olympic gold medallist has battled a series of wrist, achilles and hamstring injuries in recent years.
Now self-coached, the 30-year-old arrived in London in peak physical shape for her first global championships since finishing second at the 2013 world titles in Moscow.
"Obviously it's nice to go into the final as the fastest," said Pearson.
"I know what these girls can do and I have to be fair on myself and know where I've come from and know what these girls can do as well.
"That's just showing respect to my competitors because I'm running against the world record holder and you can't disregard that at all.
"We all know what hurdles can do and at the moment I think I'm the most consistent one out there so we'll just have to keep that rolling."
Pearson's long-time rival Dawn Harper-Nelson from the United States was the second-fastest qualifier in 12.63.
Defending world champion Danielle Williams from Jamaica was eliminated in the semis, as was Australian Michelle Jenneke, who clocked 13.25.
Competing at her first global championships, Harrison was relieved to have recovered from her setback to claim a spot in the final.
"Unfortunately I hit the first hurdle and I just had to readjust," she said.
"I had to tell myself not to panic because I've done the training, I've run the world record in this stadium so I was capable of making up for the error.
"I didn't hurt myself so I'm fine."
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