The whole dynamic of the event changed following the sad withdrawal of pre-event favourite and world record holder* Susanna Kallur, who picked up a hamstring injury in the warm up.
In the super Swede's absence the second fastest women in the world this year, LoLo Jones, stepped up to the plate to put in an impressive performance. Jones looked a little sluggish in the morning heats, recording 7.96 and playing second field to Spain's Josephine Onyia, who shattered her personal best to record 7.84.
However, Jones reversed that result in the first semi-final as the American champion rediscovered her fluency to record 7.82 ahead of the final later tonight.
Onyia in front of a passionate Spanish crowd appeared a shadow of the athlete who had performed so impressively this morning, although she still qualified in second with 8.00 - 0.01 ahead of Russia's Yuliya Kondakova. Yevgeniya Snihur of the Ukraine snatched the fourth and final spot for the final in a personal best of 8.06.
In the second semi-final Cuba's 2002 World Junior 100m Hurdles champion Anay Tejeda recovered from a poor start to power through to win in 7.96.
US Championship runner-up Candice Davis edged second in 7.99 with Jamaica's former 100m hurdles Commonwealth champion Lacena Golding-Clarke third in 8.00.
Steve landells for the IAAF
*World record subject to ratification.
