World Championships 2015: Child reaches 400m hurdles final

Eilidh Child was relieved to secure a place in the final of the women's 400m hurdles at the World Championships despite a "messy" semi-final display.

The 28-year-old Scot, who is based in Bath, finished third in her semi-final in a time of 54.80 seconds.

She said: "My hurdling was really messy - I clipped one, when a pair of us were trying to fight for it and it got a bit scrappy.

"Thankfully it's enough to get into the final."

Child trailed Cassandra Tate of the USA (54.33) and Wenda Nel of South Africa (54.63) in her race, which was the first of three semi-finals.

She told BBC Sport immediately afterwards that she feared she would not qualify for Wednesday's final in Beijing, but subsequent times in the two other semis meant she progressed as one of the two fastest third-place hurdlers.

"It's the worst way to qualify for a final - to be in the first semi-final, in the fastest losers' spot and just having to sit and watch the other races," said Child, the European champion.

"I knew it was going to be a tough one, but I knew if I got close to the faster guys I'd run a fast time.

"It'll be a rubbish lane but I'd rather be in a rubbish lane in the final than not be in it at all.

"When I was watching I was just thinking 'don't run faster than me!'

"I really wanted to see Meghan (Beesley) get through as well but not to the extent of knocking me out.

"It's horrible waiting and watching but I have a day and a half now. I can just switch off mentally and prepare for the final."

Child has never won an individual medal at the World Championships, although she was part of the 4x400m relay team that won bronze at the Worlds two years ago in Moscow.