Elton Tucker, Assistant Editor - Sport

Veronica Campbell (right) of Jamaica crosses the finish line ahead of Carmelita Jeter of the United States to win her women's 100 metres quarter-final at the 11th IAAF World Athletics Championships in Osaka, yesterday. - Reuters

OSAKA, Japan:

Veronica Campbell, the fastest woman in the world this year with a best of 10.89, looks good for gold in the women's 100 metres final which is scheduled to start at 10:20 p.m. here (8:20 a.m. Ja time) today at the 11th IAAF World Championships in Osaka, Japan.

Campbell, the silver medallist two years ago, eased through the first two rounds with little effort. She won her opening round heat in 11.33 then increased the tempo in the second round to lower her time to 11.08.

"I am feeling pretty good. Training has been going great so far, so I just need to execute my race and everything will be fine," she said ahead of today's semi-finals and final.

Kerron Stewart and Sheri-Ann Brooks are also through. Stewart opened with 11.35 for second in the first round behind Bahamian Chandra Sturrup's 11.32. In the next round she was again runner-up in 11.20 to American Torri Edwards (11.13).

Brooks was also second twice, clocking 11.29 in the first round and 11.23 in the second.

OTTEY

Former Jamaican sprint queen, 47-year-old Merlene Ottey, was fourth in her first round heat and did not advance.

Looking a bit above her usual running weight, Ottey, now running in the colours of Slovenia, ran a time of 11.64. Only the first three and the next eight fastest times advanced from the first round.

National 400 metres champion Novlene Williams emerged as one of the favourites for gold when she led all qualifiers for today's semi-finals with an impressive 50.21 seconds.

Williams brushed off a challenge from former world champion Ana Guevara (50.85) to win heat four.

Shereefa Lloyd and Shericka Williams also advanced. Lloyd, 51.42, was third in heat one, won in 50.88 by Russia's Natalya Antyukh. Shericka had a fast start and ran a strong race but ended up second in 51.71 to another Russian, Tatyana Veshkurova (51.67), in heat three.

AGONISING WAIT

Danny McFarlane (48.32) had an agonising wait before he was confirmed for the men's 400m hurdles final. McFarlane was pipped by American James Carter for the second automatic qualifying spot in semi-final one. Poland's Marek Plawgo was a surprise winner in a season-best 48.18 ahead of Carter (48.30).

Isa Phillips did not advance. He finished fifth in semi-final three in 49.47 behind American winner, Kerron Clement, 48.60. Former world champion Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic took the other semi-final in a season-best 48.35.

Kenia Sinclair also dropped out at the semi-final stage in the women's 800m. Sinclair paid dearly for setting a fast early pace and faded to fifth in the second of three semi-finals in 2:00.25.

Russia's Svetlana Klyuka won in 1:58.97. Commonwealth champion Janeth Jepkosgei of Kenya was fastest, winning semi-final three in a terrific world leading 1:56.17.

(Morning session - last night Jamaica time)

WOMEN

8:10 p.m. (Sunday) - 100m hurdles heats:

Delloreeen Ennis-London, Vonette Dixon, Lacena Golding-Clarke

8:30 p.m. (Sunday) - Long jump:

Elva Goulbourne

8:50 p.m. (Sunday) - 400m hurdles heats:

Nickieska Wilson, Melaine Walker, Kaliese Spencer

(Evening session - this morning Jamaica time)

6:00 a.m - 100m semi-finals:

Veronica Campbell, Sheri-Ann Brooks, Kerron Stewart

6:20 a.m. - 3000m steeplechase final

Mardrea Hyman

7:10 a.m - 400m semi-finals:

Novlene Williams, Shericka Williams, Shereefa Lloyd

8:20 a.m - 100m final