World record holder Liu Xiang comfortably won his opening 110 meters hurdles race at the world championships on Wednesday.

 

 

"It was very easy," Liu said after a relaxed 13.36 seconds.

 

"I am a little tired, but in the next round I will be much better," the Olympic champion said.

 

American Terrence Trammell and Cuban Dayron Robles also won their preliminary races with defending champion Ladji Doucoure of France coming second to Robles.

 

Trammell clocked 13.40 seconds and Robles ran 13.41 seconds with Doucoure finishing in 13.61.

 

China's Shi Dongpeng was the day's fastest in 13.22.

 

US record holder Dominique Arnold withdrew with an Achilles injury.

 

American Allyson Felix impressively led women's 200 meters qualifying. She ran 22.50 seconds.

 

"It went as easy as possible," the defending champion said, adding the pressure of being the favourite was not an extra burden.

 

"I have really high expectations for myself," Felix added.

 

Jamaica's newly crowned 100 meters champion, Veronica Campbell, and American Sanya Richards also won opening races.

 

Richards ran 22.74 and Campbell clocked 22.87.

 

World champion Dwight Phillips leaped 8.22 meters to qualify easily for the long jump final. South African Godfrey Khotso Mokoena soared 8.28m.

 

Later, Bernard Lagat and Alan Webb both bid to become the first American men's world 1,500 meters champion.

 

The women's 100 meters hurdles, 400 meters and discus, and men's high jump medals will also be decided, while 100m champion Tyson Gay continues his quest for a sprint double in the 200 semi-finals.

 

(CRI via Reuters August 29, 2007)