Ariarne Titmus isn't sure about the motive of American swim legend Katie Ledecky, who tasted success in their entree to a main course of the Paris Olympics.
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And nor does the Australian ace really care after racing Ledecky in a women's 400m freestyle heat on Saturday morning.
Titmus led for 350 metres before Ledecky produced a swift last lap to finish first and secure lane four for Saturday night's hyped final.
Was the American sending Titmus a message?
"Maybe. I don't know," Titmus said.
"I don't try to look too much into heat swims.
"But she has got lane four, I've got lane five, it doesn't really matter.
"Now it's all about who can do it tonight."
Ledecky clocked four minutes 02.19 seconds with Titmus next-best in 4:02.46.
Canadian teen Summer McIntosh (4:02.65) swam in a different heat and was fourth-fastest into the medal race while Australia's Jamie Perkins (4:03.30, fifth-ranked) also advanced.
While Titmus was unsure of any Ledecky message, Australia's dominant women's 4x100m freestyle relay team sent an ominous signal to rivals in their heat.
Australia, world record holders and seeking a fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal in the event, rested top guns Mollie O'Callaghan and Shayna Jack.
The Dolphins deployed Games debutant Olivia Wunsch, four-time Olympian Bronte Campbell, Meg Harris and Emma McKeon and comfortably topped qualifying times in 3:31.57, clear of the United States (3:33.29).
In the men's relay equivalent, Australia's Jack Cartwright, William Yang, Flynn Southam and Kyle Chalmers won their heat which included the USA's gold medal favourites.
Australia (3:12.25) progressed to the final with the second-fastest time behind China (3:11.62).
Before the relay heats, Australia's most successful Olympian McKeon cruised into the women's 100m butterfly semi-finals.
Five-time gold medallist McKeon (56.79) was fifth-fastest and teammate Alexandria Perkins (57.46) was ranked eighth.
Perkins is one of three Australian swimmers coached by Michael Palfrey, who is remaining in Paris despite causing anger in the Dolphins camp for his inflammatory interview with Korean media.
Palfrey told Korean television he wanted South Korea's Kim Woo-min to win the men's 400m freestyle - an event featuring Australian medal prospects Sam Short and Elijah Winnington.
Perkins brushed off the furore, saying it had no impact on her.
"No, I'm here to do a job and that is swim, so that is all I am focused on," she said.
Short swam against Kim in a men's 400m freestyle heat and the Australian advanced to the final as fifth-quickest qualifier in 3:44.88.
Winnington, in a different heat, was fourth-fastest in 3:44.87 while Kim (3:45.52) is ranked seventh.
In the men's 100m breaststroke, Australia's Joshua Yong (59.75, ranked 12th) booked a semi-final berth but compatriot Sam Williamson (1:00.50, 24th) missed out.
Australian Associated Press
