Women’s 100m hurdles should produce another thriller in Lausanne

National champion Megan Tapper and runner-up Ackera Nugent will be in the line-up for what is expected to be a thrilling women's 100-metre hurdles event at today's Lausanne Diamond League.

The women's sprint hurdles is one of the most competitive events on the circuit and another super fast time is expected a week before the Diamond League finals in Zurich.

Diamond League leader Grace Stark of the United States, with 35 points, will not compete today. World record holder Tobi Amusan of Nigeria, with 23, has already booked her ticket to Zurich. Jamaica's Danielle Williams, the defending world champion, sits third with 20 and also looks safe to qualify despite not competing today.

With points up for grabs, other athletes will be chasing spots in the final. Megan Tapper and Nugent will be looking to bounce back after disappointing runs at the weekend, where they finished seventh and ninth, respectively.

Nugent, who was in top form earlier this season, has missed the podium in her last two meets. With a season's best of 12.30 and 15 points, however, she looks set to book her place in the final. Tapper, who equalled her personal best of 12.34 when winning at the Monaco Diamond League, sits on 12. Her chances of advancing are slim, but a big performance today could give her a much-needed boost heading into the rest of the season.

Olympic champion and world leader, American Masai Russell (13 points) is coming off a sizzling performance in Silesia, where she won in a meet-record 12.19. She is in top form and looks ready to continue her dominance. Amusan has also shown signs of returning to her best, finishing third in Silesia in 12.25, just outside her season's best of 12.24, and could go even faster today.

Another athlete to watch is Nadine Visser of the Netherlands, currently fourth in the Diamond League standings with 27 points. In Silesia, she produced a season's and personal best of 12.28 in the preliminary round, breaking the previous meet record and defeating Russell in the process. In the final, she was leading up to the seventh barrier before stumbling and finishing eighth. If she clears cleanly today, she could be very dangerous and deliver an exceptional time.

American Alaysha Johnson, with a season's best of 12.32 and 16 points in fifth, along with countrywoman Kendra Harrison (12 points and season's best 12.37), will also be in the mix. Switzerland's Ditaji Kambundji, though out of contention for a final berth, will add local excitement to what promises to be an exciting event.