Robles spoils Chinese party in Shanghai

Cuba's Dayron Robles spoiled Liu Xiang's home-coming party at the Golden Grand Prix in Shanghai yesterday, beating the rusty 110 metres hurdles world champion in his last domestic meeting before the Olympics.

Twenty-year-old Robles burned away from Liu, to post a competitive 13.03 seconds, leaving the Olympic champion to finish third behind Anwar Moore of the United States.

"The rhythm wasn't there and I was happy to finish in the top three. I didn't really expect to," said Liu, whose time of 13.21 in his first competition since the Osaka world championships was well outside his world mark of 12.88.

"Dayron is getting in better and better form. For me to lose a few races is not a big deal," the 24-year-old told reporters.

"After the worlds, I didn't really feel like training. I was a bit tired."

In the men's 100 metres, Tyson Gay also said a post-world championships break meant he struggled to catch compatriot Wallace Spearmon, who ran 9.96.

"Today's race represents me trying to get the cobwebs out. Wallace Spearmon, he ran a great race," Gay said.

The 100 metres world-record holder Asafa Powell, who has avoided a showdown with rival Gay since finishing third behind the American at Osaka, steered clear of the world champion again, beating a weak field in the 200 metres.