Lizzie Simmonds gets Shanghai lifeline

Lizzie Simmonds eased through to the final of the 200metres backstroke at swimming's National Championships in Sheffield today.

The event doubles as the second stage of trials for next month's World Championships and Simmonds's failure to secure a place first time around was one of the biggest shocks in March.

Simmonds posted a heat time of 2min 11.53sec and victory in tonight's final will clinch her a place for the 200m in Shanghai.

The men's 100m backstroke final will again pitch Chris Walker‑Hebborn against Marco Loughran as they look to seal the second spot behind world 50m champion Liam Tancock.

The pair met in the 200m event last night when Walker‑Hebborn won but Loughran goes into the final fastest with a time of 55.14secs.