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 The 31-year-old atoned for the disappointment of missing out on a
medal in the men's 200m freestyle the previous evening by
comfortably securing a semi-final berth in first place, gliding
smoothly to the wall in one minute 57.90 seconds.
"It wasn't my day last night," the three-time world champion in the
shorter medley told reporters. "I did everything I could and it just
didn't work out. But what I do best, no matter what, is forget about
what happened and move on.
"It was one of the most comfortable 1:57's I have done, so I am
excited to see what I can do. It should be a good race."
Behind Lochte, Briton Dan Wallace qualified second, 0.38 seconds
adrift, while Conor Dwyer of the United States posted 1:58.63 to
finish third fastest.
In the men's 100m freestyle, Olympic champion Nathan Adrian of the
United States labored to sixth place in qualification ahead of the
semi-finals later on Wednesday.
With Australia's reigning world champion James Magnussen absent
through a shoulder injury, it was left to Zetao Ning of China to set
the fastest time, his 48.11 seconds edging Cameron McEvoy by 0.22.
"Overall it was a little bit slower than what we all expected it to
be," said Adrian, who posted 48.61 seconds.
"I think the race will progress a lot faster than what a lot of
people think. I'll be impressed to see if anyone can reach the
(world record) time this year."
Meanwhile, China's Yuanhui Fu topped qualification in the women's
50m backstroke by clocking 27.66 seconds.
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After her exertions in taking gold in the 100m backstroke on
Tuesday, Australia's Emily Seebohm advanced through to the
semi-finals in third place, 0.09 seconds off the pace.
China's Zhang Yufei produced an eye-catching swim in the women's
200m butterfly as she broke the world junior record.
Zhang clocked an impressive 2:06.92 as the 17-year-old overtook
Katie McLaughlin's 2014 mark. American McLaughlin qualified second
fastest, 0.40 seconds behind, with Katinka Hosszu, the 2013 world
bronze medalist, qualifying sixth.
"I feel good and I had a good rest last night but my focus is on the
200m freestyle final tonight," said Hungary's Hosszu, who claimed
the gold medal in the women's 200m individual medley with a new
world record on Monday.
The Wednesday evening session will also include finals in the men's
50m breaststroke, 200m butterfly and 800m freestyle.
(Editing by John O'Brien)
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