Phelps easily advances to finals of 200 free, but looks like he’s got tough competition

Phelps avoids Peirsol’s fate, advances in 200 free

ROME — Michael Phelps has advanced to the final of his first individual event at the world swimming championships. And it looks as if he’ll have tough competition in the 200-meter freestyle.

Germany’s Paul Biedermann, who already broke Ian Thorpe’s record in the 400 free, set a championship record with a time of 1 minute, 43.65 seconds in the semifinals Monday, not far off Phelps’ world mark of 1:42.96.

Phelps was the third-fastest qualifier at 1:45.23. At least he avoided the fate of American star Aaron Peirsol, who was stunningly eliminated in the semis of the 100 backstroke.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

ROME (AP) — Russia’s Anastasia Zueva has set the 10th world record of the world swimming championships, breaking the mark for the 100-meter backstroke in a semifinal heat.

Zueva posted a time of 58.48 seconds Monday, eclipsing the mark by Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe that won gold at the Beijing Olympics, 58.77.

Also setting records on Day 2 of the meet: Brenton Rickard of Australia in the 100 breast, Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden in the 100 butterfly and Rebecca Soni of the U.S. in the 100 backstroke.

Soni also broke her record in a semifinal heat.