Jamaica's Christopher Taylor and Stephenie Ann McPherson have advanced after competing in the early rounds of the men's and women's 400 metres at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade, Serbia on Friday.

Taylor who had to survive a tangle with Spain's Bruno Horteland-Roig which caused him to lose some momentum, rallied gallantly to finish second in his heat in 46.48 seconds to qualify for the semi-finals with the fourth-best time. The semi-finals take place later today at 1:10 p.m.

McPherson, a finalist in the event at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, is through to tomorrow's semi final of the 400m after placing second in her heat in 51.86 seconds, behind Olympic champion, Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas. The winner clocked 51.74 in her first indoor race of the season. McPherson is the fourth fastest qualifier for the final. Roneisha McGregor, the second Jamaican in the event, did not advance after a fourth-place finish in her heat. She clocked 52.89 to finish 16th overall.