KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Williams sisters, Danielle and Shermaine, a short while ago displayed superb form to advance to the semi-finals of the women’s 100-metre hurdles at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China.

National champion Danielle comfortably won her heat in a time of 12.77s ahead of American Kendra Henderson, who finished second in 12.90s.

Third place in that heat went to Norway’s Isabelle Pedersen who stopped the clock at 12.96 seconds.

Danielle, who has a season best of 12.71 which is just outside her personal best 12.69, said she expects to go faster.

“I am running 12.7 consistently (all) season, so I am definitely expecting to go faster, hopefully my legs hold up.”

Shermaine finished second in a personal best time of 12.78 seconds behind American Brianna Rollins in her heat. Rollins clocked 12.67 seconds while third place went to Croatia’s Andrew Ivancevic who finished in a time of 12.88 seconds.@ObserverLive

After the race, Shermaine said she is looking forward to the semi-finals.

“I am very pleased to actually equal my PB (personal best), so that tells me that I am in good shape,” Shermaine told OBSERVER ONLINE. “I am feeling good and looking forward to the next round.”

Kimberly Laing was the third Jamaican gunning for a semi-final spot. She finished sixth in a time of 13.10 seconds in her heat and managed to also book a spot in the semi-finals as one of the fastest losers.

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