Sanya Richards blasted to victory in what she hopes will be the first part of a 200m/400m double with an impressive victory in 22.50.

The US athlete, who has won the past three World Athletics Finals over the 400m distance, transferred her all-round sprinting ability to the shorter event as she seeks this weekend to wash away the bitter disappointment of winning 'only' the Olympic 400m bronze when heavily fancied to strike gold in Beijing.

Behind, the US athlete, Marshevet Hooker took second in 22.67 ahead of the joint Olympic silver medallist, Kerron Stewart of Jamaica, who had to settle for third in 22.72.

The field got away to an even break although it was Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie of the Bahamas running from lane seven who held a marginal lead from Stewart, Richards and Hooker as they entered the home straight.

Yet as Ferguson-McKenzie faded - she eventully wound up fourth in 22.89 - Richards quickly came to the fore and powered through from lane three to take the victory. Last year's winner Muriel Hurtis-Houairi of France finished eighth and last in 23.43.

Richards said: "I just came out to have fun tonight," she explained. "I got invited by the IAAF in the last minute. I am feeling good, my training has been good all year and I did not want to quit at this time of the year."

Steve Landells for the IAAF