After the drama of the quarterfinals yesterday, the semi-finals of the men's 100m went closer to script.
In the first semi, American Bernard WILLIAMS made a swift exit from the blocks and by 50m had a discernible lead. The first four; Williams, team-mate Tim MONTGOMERY, Nigerian Uchenna EMEDOLU and Kim COLLINS (SKN), had established a break on the rest of the field.
Clearly on cruise control Williams appeared to switch off with 20m still to run. He crossed the line in 10.11, well clear of the field. World record-holder, Montgomery was next home (10.14), with Emedolu and Collins one and two hundredths further back.
If the Commonwealth champ, Collins is to challenge in the final he will need to find the form that took him to 10.02 in the second round. While Montgomery will need to find a couple of metres to mount a serious challenge.
Most disappointing was Britain's Mark LEWIS-FRANCIS who beat no-one home clocking 10.44.
The second semi provided more drama. Defending champion Maurice GREENE (USA) was fastest to respond to the gun but he didn't remain in the lead for long and finished the race limping on his left leg. He finished well back in eighth (10.37).
Up ahead Dwain CHAMBERS (GBR) took the race by the scruff of the neck moving to a clear lead in the closing stages. He crossed the line to win his first race of the championships after second placings in the first two rounds. His time was an encouraging 10.06.
After an impressive first 80m, Nigerian Deji ALIU (10.14) faded and was overtaken by Chambers, Jamaican Darrel BROWN (10.11) and Briton Darren CAMPBELL (10.12).
Ato BOLDON (TRI) continued the nightmare for the HSI squad by finishing sixth in 10.22. He joins training partners Jon DRUMMOND (USA) and Greene on the sidelines for tonight's final.
If the semis are the only guide the final looks to be a match race between Williams and Chambers, but it seems more than possible that either Collins or Montgomery could find the improvement to challenge for the gold.
