The Japan Times - Harrison throws down gauntlet to 100m hurdles rivals

The 30-year-old American has had to make do with an Olympic and world silver in the past, but just as she did in the heats she posted the fastest time of the three semi-finals, 12.33sec.

Thursday's final promises to be a thriller.

Harrison was joined by Olympic champion and her former training partner Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, defending world titleholder Tobi Amusan and 2019 winner Nia Ali.

Harrison's time may not have been quite as blistering as her opening salvo on Tuesday of 12.24sec but it was still a significant marker to lay down for her rivals.

Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas took the other automatic qualifying spot with Olympic bronze medallist Megan Tapper having to wait to see if she progressed as a fastest qualifier.

Amusan was only cleared to run last week over an alleged breaking of the anti-doping rules but the Nigerian came through as a semi-final winner in 12.56sec.

She was pushed all the way by young Jamaican Ackera Nugent.

However, there will be no American medal sweep as Masai Russell hit the second hurdle and from then on her dreams were over as she clattered another and eventually pulled up.

Camacho-Quinn won a loaded semi-final coming from behind to pass Jamaica's 2015 world champion Danielle Williams, who was also overtaken on the line by Ali.

Williams, though, went through at Tapper's expense.

S.Ogawa--JT