Two-time world champion Chad le Clos has scraped into the 200m butterfly semi-finals after swimming 14th fastest overall in the heats at the World Championships in Kazan this morning.

The 23-year-old, who is the reigning Olympic champion in this event, moved into second after the first 50m and regularly glanced to his left and right to keep an eye on his competition.

After a strong start, Le Clos dropped down the field in the final 50m and touched the wall tied fourth with Australia's Grant Irvine on 1:56.92 in the second heat.

Hungary's Laszlo Cseh impressed in heat three to clock a time of 1:53.71, which is the best of the year so far.