CITY of Liverpool’s Fran Halsall bounced back from the disappointment of Britain’s relay failure to book her place in tomorrow’s 100 metres freestyle final. The 18-year-old’s time of 53.94 seconds today was just 0.01secs slower than her performance in yesterday’s heats, when she set a new British record, and she qualified as the fifth fastest. “It was a bit harder than last night,” said Halsall. “After the relay I was physically and emotionally drained so to get in and do another 53-point this morning was great. “I have got a night off now so I can get focused and ready for tomorrow morning. “I have been told if you can do something three times you can improve and I have swum three times in the high 53s so improving on that would be nice tomorrow morning.” It was a gutsy performance from Halsall who found herself in the spotlight yesterday after the decision to draft her into Britain’s 4x200m freestyle relay team backfired. GB officials controversially opted to rest 400m freestyle gold medallist Rebecca Adlington and Caitlin McClatchey in order to conserve their energy for an anticipated place in today's final. But they were left red- faced as the quartet of Jo Jackson, Mel Marshall, Hannah Miley and Halsall failed to finish in the top eight. When Halsall started the final leg Britain were second in their heat but the 50m and 100m specialist tired in the closing stages and could only finish sixth in 7:56.16. That put Britain ninth overall and out of contention for an event in which they were expected to challenge for gold. “It was really hard,” said Halsall, who had swum in the heats of the 100m earlier in the same evening session. “It was a good chance of a gold medal for the team. “We had two excellent girls to come back in and fill spots and I thought I had to get up this morning and make a final for those girls. I did that and hopefully they can take some inspiration from it. “If I was fresh for it, it might have been different but I have not done a 200 for a long time so it was a surreal experience.” Wirral cyclist Steve Cummings finished 11th in yesterday's individual time trial. | 
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