Sally Pearson is confident she has what it takes to retain her Commonwealth Games title despite being trumped by her principal rival in her final race before Glasgow.
Looking her best since suffering a hamstring injury in Rome in early June, Pearson clocked 12.79s to finish third in the 100m hurdles at the Anniversary Games in London on Sunday (Monday AEST).
The 27-year-old Olympic champion was overtaken by England's Tiffany Porter, who produced a late burst of speed to win in 12.71.
But she shaved nearly 0.1s off her third-placed finish at the Glasgow Diamond League event a week ago.
She downplayed any concern at being toppled by Porter, noting she'd made a costly late error, taking heart from her flying start and best time since her injury and saying her hamstring felt "great".
"The race went very well today, I'm actually really proud of it," Pearson said.
"I could feel my rhythm coming through but unfortunately I hit the second to last hurdle and then the next hurdle after that which upset it slightly."
After being warned for a false start, Pearson managed to get the jump on her competition the second time around and looked in control at the halfway mark, before Porter took over.
The 26-year-old Porter pulled away over the final 30 metres, as Pearson was also overtaken by Brianna Rollins of the United States.
"I got a really good start which was something I haven't managed to get this year, so I'm really excited for the next few races ahead," Pearson said.
"I'm going to keep myself healthy over the next week before the Commonwealth Games and prepare myself both physically and mentally.
"I'm excited ahead of the Games and hopefully I can beat Tiffany in a week's time."
Pearson also distanced herself from any suggestion she could be Australia's flagbearer at Wednesday's Games opening ceremony, tipping track cycling queen Anna Meares for that honour.
Meares, who has won four Commonwealth and two Olympic gold medals, is likely vying with Pearson to be chosen by team chef de mission Steve Moneghetti and named on Monday night.
"I think someone else might get to be flag bearer and she has won numerous gold medals so she deserves it," said Pearson.
Meanwhile, Alana Boyd warmed up for her Commonwealth pole vault gold medal defence with another strong performance - clearing 4.55 metres to claim second in London.
Boyd is the runaway favourite to secure gold, with the achievements of her rivals dwarfed by the 30-year-old Victorian's impressive jumps this year in a sport that is primarily dominated by American and European athletes.
Earlier, 1500 metre runner Zoe Buckman was a strong third in the women's one-mile race, edging out countrywoman Genevieve Lacaze by one second in 4m43s, while Collis Birmingham finished ninth in the men's two-mile race in 8m43s.
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