Dobriskey finally makes the cut

LOUGHBOROUGH'S Lisa Dobriskey plodded through the puddles to book her place in tomorrow's 1500m final in attention-grabbing style.

The 23-year old Commonwealth champion had failed in bids to reach finals at her last two major championships but it was a case of third time lucky in Beijing.

She finished third in her heat in a personal best of 4.03.22 - shaving more than three seconds off the time she ran when winning in Melbourne two years ago.

Kenya's Nancy Jebet Langat was the quickest qualifier in a season's best 4.03.02 followed by Ukraine's Nataliya Tobias but Dobriskey is in the mix as the third quickest to advance.

Bahrain's Maryam Yusuf Jamal - the fastest woman in the world in the field - was sixth fastest and will be a major threat.

"I'm just so relieved," said Dobriskey.

"I really wanted to make the final, it's been my dream all year and I really believed it would come true.

"There have been too many championships where I've come and not done myself justice and it means so much to finally achieve it at this level."

Dobriskey got her tactics spot on as teeming rain made conditions difficult under foot at the Bird's Nest.

With only the top three guaranteed a final place, she kicked off the final bend to chase home Langat and Tobias.

"I felt totally in control," she added.

"I was pretty relaxed in the last lap because I knew if I didn't make the top three I'd probably get a fastest loser spot because the pace of our race was quick.

"I'm just thrilled to get another chance to run. My mum, brother and boyfriend are all here, it's almost like a home from home, especially with the weather."

JAMES TONEY in Beijing