Jamaica's Brigitte Foster-Hylton (left) on her way to a comfortable victory in her heat of the 100 metre hurdles yesterday. - Charles Pitt/Freelance Photographer

BEIJING:

SPRINT HURDLERS Vonette Dixon, Delloreen Ennis-London and Brigitte Foster-Hylton all advanced after victories in their opening heats yesterday.

Dixon underlined her good form by winning heat two in a season-best 12.69 seconds, Ennis-London eased past the line in 12.82 to take heat three while Foster-Hylton was impressive in taking heat five, also in 12.69.

The fastest times of the round were returned by Spain's Josephine Onyia and Susanna Kallur of Sweden who hit the line together in 12.68 in heat one.

American Lolo Jones, the pre-Games favourite for gold in the final, captured heat four in 12.71.

"I just knew that I wanted to get out of the blocks and go on and qualify for the next round," Dixon, who left her blocks like a bullet, said.

GOOD RUN

"When I saw that I was in the qualifying spot I just eased up a bit to just make sure I secured my spot. So it was good," she said. Dixon added she was looking forward to the semi-finals and final.

"I really want a medal - gold, silver or bronze," she said.

Ennis-London said her effort was like a training run.

"It was pretty effortless. That 12.82 was just me getting one run out. I did not feel anything and I am happy going through to the semi-finals," she said.

Foster-Hylton said the track, which has already seen a Jamaican world record by Usain Bolt in the 100 metres, was pretty fast.

"I feel comfortable. I am going to get some rest now and get ready for the semi-finals," she said.

Of the three Jamaicans national Foster-Hylton has the best form this season. Her 2008 best is 12.49, just four-hundredths of a second off the national record which she also holds.