TOKYO (Reuters) -World leader Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and Olympic champion Julien Alfred took the first step towards their highly anticipated 100 metres showdown at the world championships by easing through the first round of heats on Saturday.

American Jefferson-Wooden comfortably won the opening heat in 10.99 seconds after easing up, while St Lucian Alfred stormed out of the blocks to dominate the fourth in 10.93 — the fastest time of the day.

Reigning world champion Sha’Carri Richardson produced her best time of the season to progress but still failed to go under 11 seconds for the first time this year, crossing the line in 11.03.

Tina Clayton was the fastest Jamaican in 11.01 and her much decorated teammates Shericka Jackson, who ran 11.04, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who ran 11.0

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