Gillick through to semis

Dubliner David Gillick has safely made it through to tomorrow's 400 metres semi-finals at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin.

The Irish record holder finished second in the first of this morning's seven heats, clocking 45.54 seconds behind UK champion Robert Tobin (45.50).

Rabah Yousif of Sudan was the third and final automatic qualifier, lowering his personal best to 45.55.

Gillick lined up as the only man in his heat to dip under 45 seconds this year, but his lane draw of seven was not ideal.

He quickly closed the gap on Zimbabwe's Young Talkmore Nyongani in the eighth lane, however Tobin, in lane five, emerged as a leader around the final bend.

Gillick had Tobin, Yousif and America's Lionel Larry ahead of him to his left as he entered the closing 100 metres.

Lengthening his stride, the Dundrum South Dublin clubman made up the difference with a powerful surge over the final 50.

He almost caught Tobin as he lunged for the line, but it would have made little difference as the English-based pair comfortably made it through to tomorrow evening's semi-finals (5.15pm Irish time).

Speaking after his heat, Gillick said: "It's good to get going. I would have liked to win, but I was a little blind in the bend.

"Tomorrow night is the big one. That's my final, with only the top two as automatic qualifiers. But I know the confidence is there."

Meanwhile, Gillick's clubmate Deirdre Ryan bowed out of the women's high jump at the qualification phase in the Olympiastadion this morning.

The 27-year-old Ryan, who set her Irish record of 1.92 metres three years ago, cleared 1.80m with her first attempt.

She had two fails at 1.85m before clearing it, however the step-up to 1.89m proved beyond her as she frustratingly brought the bar down three times.

The automatic qualifying mark was 1.95m but had the 2006 European Championships finalist equalled her previous best, she might have gone through as one of the top 12 finishers.