The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, California

Australia's Cate Campbell set a US Open record of 53.30 on Friday in winning the women's 100m freestyle at the Santa Clara International Grand Prix swimming meeting.

Natalie Coughlin was second, improving her own American record with a time of 53.39.

Campbell also led off an Australia squad that captured the women's 4x100m free relay with a time of 3:43.08.

There was a strong showing for Australia's women in the 400m free as well, with Bronte Barratt and Kylie Palmer finishing one-two. Barratt took home gold with a meet record of 4:04.57. Palmer was second in 4:05.98 ahead of American Kate Ziegler (4:07.11).

A total of four meet records fell during the first full day of competition.

Brendan Hansen won gold in the men's 100m breast with a meet-record time of 1:00.01. Slovenia's Damir Dugonjic was second in 1:01.67 and Japan's Ryo Tateishi was a close third in 1:01.68.

Swimming superstar Michael Phelps, preparing for a record-breaking bid at the Beijing Olympics in August, took home his first gold of the meet with a win in the men's 400m individual medley.

Phelps led throughout the race and finished with a time of 4:13.47. Robert Margalis was second in 4:15.05.

Japan's Izumi Kato won the women's 200m breaststroke in 2:27.69, ahead of former world record-holder and reigning Olympic champion Amanda Beard (2:28.15).

The men's 4x100m free relay saw a strong South African squad of Lyndon Ferns, Roland Schoeman, Gideon Louw and Ryk Neethling win in 3:15.58.

The meet continues Saturday with 10 events.