Asafa Powell and Nickel Ashmeade have comfortably progressed to tomorrow’s semi-final of the men’s 100m semi-finals set for 6:10 a.m.

Powell took his heat ahead of the field in 9.95, his 99th sub-10 clocking.

"It was a good run and I got a good start," Powell said.

"I just pulled it off and took it easy. I am a veteran, so I am just taking it step by step."

Ashmeade had to settle for second in his heat behind American Tyson Gay after stopping the clock at 10.19.

Gay won the heat with a time of 10.11.