World leader Jason Gardener came a step closer to his first world title with a massive 6.49 win over Francis Obikwelu (6.60) and Mickey Grimes (6.62). The Briton was in command throughout and appeared to shut it down in the final few strides, clearly the smoothest run of the semi finals.
Matic Osovnikar of Slovenia continued to impress, winning the second semi in 6.60, equalling his national record performance from the morning's first round. Niconnor Alexander of Trinidad was just one one-hundredth back. Asafa Powell, seen as a potential pre-meet medal threat, was a distant fifth in 6.71, and did not advance.
Heat three was even closer. US champion Shawn Crawford (6.54) needed nearly the entire 60 metre stretch to make up the blazing start of Greek Yeoryios Theodoridis, but managed the win in 6.54 to the Greek's 6.55. Simone COllio provided the biggest surprise of the evening with a 6.58 personal best to finish third, and advance to the final. An Italian hasn't reached the 60 metres final since 1989, the last time the World Indoor Championships were held in Budapest. Then Pierfrancesco Pavoni raced to a bronze.
