SWIMMING: Karla Hancocks qualified for a place in the final of the women's 50m Butterfly after she finished fourth in her semi-final heat.

The Monmouth swimmer clocked a time of 27.89 and she qualifies as one of the fastest loser.

Meanwhile, teammates Georgia Elizabeth Holderness and Lowri Tynan both dropped out at the semi-final stage of the women's 50m Breaststroke.

Holderness came fifth in 33.44, with Tynan a place behind in 33.74. All that though was overshadowed by England's Zoe Baker who set a new world record 30.57 in qualifying for this evening's final at Manchester's Aquatics Centre.

Baker became the first British woman to break a long course world record since Anita Lonsbrough 42 long years ago. Her achievement in the semi-final was one of two new world records on a memorable opening night, which also saw eight new Games marks set.

Pre-meeting predictions of success in the women's team came thrillingly to fruition in the opening race as Karen Pickering held off a stern challenge from team-mate Karen Legg to land a famous one-two in the 200m freestyle, with world champion Giaan Rooney finishing way back in seventh.

While neither Stephen Parry nor James Hickman could manage the gold medal their north-west origins demanded, both were reasonably satisfied with their efforts in the 200m butterfly, where they followed Australia's Justin Norris home to grab a silver and bronze for England.

Scotland's Graeme Smith won bronze in the 400m freestyle, with Australian ace Ian Thorpe breaking the world-record to clinch gold.

Scotland also have a medal hope in 50m butterfly with Alison Sheppard, who qualified third fastest from the two semi-finals. She will be joined by team-mate Kerry Martin and English hopeful Rosalind Brett in the final. Meanwhile, there was a surprise in the 200m individual medley when Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry emerging victorious ahead of Australian Jennifer Reilly.