TOKYO, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Olympic champion Julien Alfred advanced comfortably to the semifinals of the women's 100 meters at the World Athletics Championships here on Saturday, posting the fastest time of the opening round.

The 24-year-old clocked 10.93 seconds to top the field, narrowly ahead of Britain's Daryll Neita, who ran 10.94. Melissa Jefferson-Wooden of the United States followed in third with 10.99.

Ten-time world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, competing in her ninth and last world championships, also progressed, finishing second in Heat 7 with a time of 11.09.

China's Liang Xiaojing fell short of qualification after placing sixth in Heat 5. Her time of 11.29 ranked 28th overall.

Only 24 of the 60 sprinters advanced to the semifinals, which will be held on Sunday. ■