Dina Asher-Smith lived up to her billing as favourite for 200 metres gold at the European Championships in Amsterdam by storming into the final in a season's best 22.57 seconds.
The 20-year-old, bidding to land her first major senior title at the Dutch capital's Olympic Stadium, looked to have plenty left in the tank as she cruised through the semi-finals as the joint fastest qualifier.
The history student, who does not have to contend with Holland's Dafne Schippers after the world champion opted to race only over 100m in front of her home crowd, ran a superb bend and was already well in front heading into the
straight as she took 0.15secs off her previous best this year.
"I am very happy with that, I didn't expect to run so quickly in the semi-final," said Asher-Smith, who broke the British record when running 22.07s to finish fifth at last year's World Championships in Beijing.
"It was a nice track and a really good run for me so I'm excited for the final."
Jodie Williams, who won European silver two years ago in Zurich when Asher-Smith pulled up with a hamstring injury, joined her team-mate in Thursday's final as a fastest loser, clocking 23.14.