EUROPEAN champion Dwain Chambers insisted he was taking nothing for granted after taking a first step towards the world indoor 60 metres title in Doha.
The 31-year-old yesterday gave an indication he could snatch his first major crown since returning from his two-year drugs ban by producing the fastest time of the day.
But the Londoner, now accepted by his peers in the British team, played down the label of favourite, even though American champion Ivory Williams is absent after testing positive for marijuana.
“I just didn’t really want to concentrate on that,” Chambers said after heading the qualifiers with a time of 6.59 seconds.
“It’s unfortunate (for Williams) but at the end of the day I’ve just got to concentrate on the job I have here.
“It’s still early days yet, I’ve still got to keep an eye on my opposition. I’m just glad I got the first one out the way, I was a bit nervous.”
Jessica Ennis, meanwhile, will be absorbed in what should be a very close pentathlon contest against Nataliya Dobrynska, Hyleas Fountain and Tatyana Kotova, the winners of the Beijing Olympic heptathlon medals.
Of Britain’s medal candidates, Jenny Meadows faces arguably the toughest task.
Last summer’s world bronze medallist confidently won her 800metres heat in the fastest time of the day and will have a rest day today after her semi-final was postponed.
The opening day saw Carl Myerscough make the shot final with his last attempt, while Steve Lewis gritted his teeth to qualify in the pole vault after irritating a nerve in his arm.
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey will join Chambers in the 60m semi-finals, while Samson Oni qualified for the high jump final, although Tom Parsons, who cleared the same height, was eliminated on countback.
Helen Clitheroe grabbed a 1,500m slot while Joice Maduaka made it through to the 60m semis.
However, Kate Dennison, highly fancied to make the pole vault final, crashed out.
Richard Buck finished fifth in his 400m semi-final, while Chris Tomlinson, the silver medallist two years ago, and Greg Rutherford were eliminated in the long jump.