Australia have made an encouraging start to the world short course swimming titles in China after it took record-breaking efforts to hold out golden girls Ariarne Titmus and Emily Seebohm in the opening day's heats.
Titmus, 18, qualified second fastest for Tuesday night's 200m freestyle final at Hangzhou after American Mallory Comerford had to clock an American record of 1min 52.52sec to pip the fast-finishing Australian.
Comerford broke Missy Franklin's 2015 US record of 1:52.74 to finish just 0.14 of a second ahead of Titmus.
Titmus threatened Comerford in the final strokes of their heat after making up six tenths of second over the last 50m to book a lane next to the American in the medal race.
Long course world record holder and world champ Federica Pellegrini of Italy qualified sixth fastest.
World champion backstroker Seebohm was just as impressive as she kick-started her tough six individual event program at Hangzhou.
In women's 100m backstroke, Seebohm was second fastest for Tuesday's semi-finals behind Olivia Smoliga who set a new American mark of 55.47 to top the heats.
Smoliga threatened the world record line for most of her heat but fell short to finish ahead of Seebohm (57.08) with world record holder Katinka Hosszu of Hungary third fastest.
Australia's Minna Atherton will join Seebohm in the 100m backstroke semis after qualifying sixth fastest.
Seebohm also impressed in her surprise event, the women's 50m breaststroke.
A 12-year national team veteran, Seebohm used all her experience to qualify 12th fastest for Tuesday night's semi-finals along with teammate Jessica Hansen (tied for seventh).
Mitch Larkin squeezed into the 200m individual medley final as eighth fastest and will also feature in Tuesday night's 100m backstroke semi-finals after qualifying sixth quickest.
In the men's 200m butterfly, Australia's Nic Brown qualified eighth fastest for the final behind top qualifier Daiya Seto of Japan.
Australia was sixth fastest for the men's 4x100m freestyle relay final.
Australia have sent a 20-strong team also featuring former national sprint king Cameron McEvoy to the six-day titles.
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