Kelli White of the United States stayed on course for a golden double in the sprints at the World Athletics Championships in Paris when she won the second quarterfinal of the women's 200m event on Tuesday.

White ran a faster race in the quarterfinal than she had in the heats, finishing in 22.67s as against 22.97s earlier in the day.

But compatriot and 100m silver medallist Torri Edwards served notice of her intention to try and upset White when she won her quarterfinal quite easily in 22.66s.

White and Edwards will also face a formidable rival in defending champion Zhanna Block of the Ukraine. Block matched White's timing in winning the fourth and final quarterfinal.

Frenchwoman Muriel Hurtis won the third quarterfinal in 22.70s, and looks certain to make the final along with the two Americans and the Ukrainian.

Veteran athlete and sentimental favourite Merlene Ottey, 43, competing for Slovenia rather than her native Jamaica, was eliminated in Edwards's heat, finishing fifth with a timing of 23.22, well below her personal best of 21.64 achieved way back in September 1991.

The semifinals will take place on Wednesday. The line-up, in order of qualifying times, is:

Torri Edwards	USA	22.66
Kelli White	USA	22.67
Zhanna Block	UKR	22.67
Muriel Hurtis	FRA	22.70
Anastasiya Kapachinskaya	RUS	22.73
Mary Onyali-Omagbemi	NGR	22.73
Anzhela Kravchenko	UKR	22.81
Kim Gevaert	BEL	22.91
Maryna Maydanova	UKR	22.93
Vida Anim	GHA	22.95
Beverly McDonald	JAM	22.96
Natalya Safronnikova	BLR	22.96
Lauren Hewitt	AUS	23.10
Mercy Nku	NGR	23.16
Roxana Diaz	CUB	23.21
Cydonie Mothersill	CAY	23.29

Earlier report: White going for sprint double

Photograph: Getty Images