Elton Tucker, Assistant Editor - Sport

Novlene Williams of Jamaica competes in the women's 400 metres semi-finals at the 11th IAAF World Athletics Championship in Osaka yesterday. - AP

Osaka, Japan:

Jamaica's Novlene Williams, the leader following the first round, sent another powerful message to her rivals yesterday when she clocked a season-best 49.66 seconds in the semi-finals of the women's 400 metres at the 11th IAAF World Championships in Osaka, Japan.

Williams, who led the way with 50.21 in round one, was a lonely winner of semi-final heat one. Former world champion Ana Guevara of Mexico was a distant second, also in a season-best 50.19.

The former Ferncourt High student will be the only Jamaican in tomorrow's final.

Shericka Williams' season-best 50.37 was only good enough for fourth in semi-final two, while Shereefa Lloyd lowered her personal best to 51.00 but was only fifth in the third and final semi-final.

Williams said her plan was to dictate the pace.

"I wanted to go out comfortable and take control of my race and make it to the final. I did that and I am happy," she said.

More to come

She added that there was more to come in the final.

"I hope to lower that time in the final. Now I just want to go home, get some rest and get ready for Wednesday," she said.

British athletes won the other two semi-finals. Nicola Sanders clocked a personal best 49.77 in the second heat, while her compatriot, 2006 Commonwealth Games champion Christine Ohuruogu, again looked impressive in winning heat three in a personal best 50.16.

All six Jamaicans advanced easily following the opening rounds of the women's 100m and 400m hurdles.