ATHENS, Greece, August 20 - World number one Alleyne Francique moved easily to the next round in the men's 400m here on Friday.

 Francique opened the one-lap event with an impressive 45.32, running out of lane 2. Approaching the finish line he glanced to his right to welcome Jamaican Davian Clarke (45.54) and South African Marcus la Grange (45.95).

 "It was pretty easy for me tonight. I am really excited for tomorrow. My coach advised me to have fun while competing and that is what I did tonight," Francique said.

 Other predictable qualifiers advanced from their heats.

 American Jeremy Wariner, who is ranked number one in the world, ran in lane 8 and led from gun to tape.

 

 American and Jamaican athletes all confirmed their fitness.  Derrick BREW (USA) and  Michael BLACKWOOD (JAM) won their heats while Otis HARRIS (USA) and Brandon SIMPSON (JAM) were comfortable in second place finishes. 

 Also a winner of his heat, Leslie DJHONE (FRA) could well improve on his fifth place from last year's world championships.

 

There were also less expected wins, with victories for Christopher BROWN (BAH), who recorded the fastest time of the day in 45.09 - a season's best, Anton GALKIN (RUS) who lowered his PB from 45.54 to 44.83 at the Russian championships, and Carlos Santa (DOM).

 

 There were no unexpected eliminations. World indoor bronze medallist Gary KIKAYA eventually made it through the following round as a non-automatic qualifier, after scaring himself with the 4th rank of heat 3 and a poor 45.57.

 

 It took India's Mathews BINU K. a national record (45.48) to move to the next round.