Three time world champion, Allen JOHNSON (USA) was untroubled progressing through the first round of the men's 110m hurdles.
Johnson sits aloft the World Rankings with the 12.97 he ran here in Paris on July 4.
The man most likely to challenge the American was Latvian Stanislav OLIJARS. However, the world number two, after wins in Oslo and Berlin, picked up a hamstring injury in Zurich which required him to take time off training.
Starting in heat three, with his right thigh strapped, only cleared two hurdles before pulling up.
Johnson was a comfortable winner of heat two in 13.42. His American team-mate Chris PHILLIPS produced the quickest time of the round with his win in the final heat, 13.26. Having finished fourth in the US Championships Phillips only made the team by virtue of Johnson's wildcard as the defending world champion.
The next best time also came from heat five with Frenchman Ladji DOUCOURE pleasing the crowd flashing home for second, 13.31. In third place was the bronze medallist from Edmonton, Haiti's Dudley DORIVAL, 13.41.
The first heat featured 2000 Olympic silver medallist Terrence TRAMMELL (USA). After a strong start he took his foot off the gas to do just enough to finish in the first three and ensure a spot in the next round with 13.51. The heat was won by Swedish record holder Robert KRONBERG in 13.46 from the Asian record holder LIU Xiang (CHN), 13.48.
The last of the American quartet Larry WADE was victorious in heat four. In a controlled run he was clocked at 13.49.
Fourth place finisher from the last World Championships, Cuban Yoel HERNANDEZ could only manage that placing in heat two but his 13.56 was good enough to progress.
Johnson sits aloft the World Rankings with the 12.97 he ran here in Paris on July 4.
The man most likely to challenge the American was Latvian Stanislav OLIJARS. However, the world number two, after wins in Oslo and Berlin, picked up a hamstring injury in Zurich which required him to take time off training.
Starting in heat three, with his right thigh strapped, only cleared two hurdles before pulling up.
Johnson was a comfortable winner of heat two in 13.42. His American team-mate Chris PHILLIPS produced the quickest time of the round with his win in the final heat, 13.26. Having finished fourth in the US Championships Phillips only made the team by virtue of Johnson's wildcard as the defending world champion.
The next best time also came from heat five with Frenchman Ladji DOUCOURE pleasing the crowd flashing home for second, 13.31. In third place was the bronze medallist from Edmonton, Haiti's Dudley DORIVAL, 13.41.
The first heat featured 2000 Olympic silver medallist Terrence TRAMMELL (USA). After a strong start he took his foot off the gas to do just enough to finish in the first three and ensure a spot in the next round with 13.51. The heat was won by Swedish record holder Robert KRONBERG in 13.46 from the Asian record holder LIU Xiang (CHN), 13.48.
The last of the American quartet Larry WADE was victorious in heat four. In a controlled run he was clocked at 13.49.
Fourth place finisher from the last World Championships, Cuban Yoel HERNANDEZ could only manage that placing in heat two but his 13.56 was good enough to progress.
