China's 21-year-old Ning Zetao, who won four gold medals at the Incheon Asian Games last year, dominated the men's 100-meter freestyle heat with 49.60 seconds.

Ning, who won great popularity in China for his good results in pool and good looking, has become one of the most famous male swimmers since the Asian Games 2014.

Even in the heat, the freestyle specialist attracted many audiences and fans who screamed loudly when he touched first.

"The time is expected," Ning said, who renewed the 100m free Asian record to 47.65 in Huangshan National Championships. "I am quite relaxed."

The semifinal will be held on Sunday night.

Beijing Olympic champion Liu Zige, who withdrew from the 100m butterfly final on Thursday, made the 200m butterfly semis with a ninth finish in the preliminary. London Olympic champion Jiao Liuyang did not compete in the event.

Double Olympic champion Sun Yang will take part in the 800 free final late Sunday. Sun has already collected the 200m and 400m free titles.

When asked about Ning, Sun said they were not competitors.

"We swim different events," said Sun. "I am happy to see more and more new swimmers claiming good results and I hope Chinese swimming can be better and better, especially for the men's swimming."