Wallace enjoys Lochte battle in Kazan

The 22-year-old was finally in action on day four of the meet in Russia, competing in the 200m individual medley heats.

And while five-time Olympic gold medallist Lochte was the race, Wallace kept up the pace to qualify second fastest for the semi-finals.

"That's a new best time for me so obviously it was a really good heat swim," said Wallace, who won silver in this event at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

"But I really wasn't focused on the time there – it was just about making it on to the next stage.

"It was a good chance to race Ryan and the best in the world. I've been waiting to do that for four days so it's great to get there and race this morning."

European bronze medallist Roberto Pavoni also reached the semi-finals, touching fourth in his heat to progress ninth fastest.

Having already finished seventh in the 100m backstroke in Russia, Lauren Quigley closed in on the 50m final, progressing sixth fastest after touching second in her heat.

Hannah Miley also booked a return for the semi-finals, progressing 13th overall in the 200m butterfly, while Aimee Willmott narrowly missed out in the same event, just 0.3 seconds shy of the top 16 as she placed 19th.

Meanwhile, Ben Proud and Calum Jarvis fell short of qualification in the 100m freestyle, placing 23rd and 32nd respectively from the heats.

The mixed 4x100m medley relay quartet closed the session on a high note, progressing second fastest for tonight's final.

The team of Chris Walker-Hebborn, Ross Murdoch, Rachael Kelly and Francesca Halsall touched second in the fastest heat of the day with the USA beating them to the touch to book lane four for the final.

© Sportsbeat 2015