DWAIN Chambers led the way as England's three sprint stars qualified for Saturday's 100 metres semi-finals.

Chambers eased home in 10.17 in the first heat, before watching young-gun Mark Lewis-Francis send down a warning with a run of 10.13 to take the second heat.

The 19-year-old sounded a warning after his win, saying: "I'm not focusing on anyone else. I'm out here to do my own thing. I'm excited, but I can't afford to get too excited. I have to keep my feet on the ground."

One man less enamoured with his form was Jason Gardener. Looking a long way from the form that once saw him run 9.98, he struggled home in fourth in his heat and knows he needs a rapid improvement to make the final.

"I was a bit disappointed with my position. I have high expectations and I wanted to do better than that. Maybe I'm trying too hard but I'm through and I'm hanging in there," he said.

Away from the English triumvirate, the main threat comes from Nigeria's Deji Aliu, who won his heat in 10.16.