Just like the heats, the Johannesburg native topped the timesheets after the two semifinals at the La Defense Arena on Sunday night. Stopping the clock at 1:05.00 in the semifinal, it was identical to Smith's time in her heat.

"It's my fastest time since Tokyo, and I think most of all, it's not even for me about the time," said the 27-year-old.

"It's about enjoying the experience and I'm having so much more fun."

At the Tokyo Games in 2020, won gold in the 200m breaststroke - breaking the world record at the time - and then won silver in the 100m.

Ireland's Mona McSharry was 0.51 seconds behind, while veteran and World Record holder Lilly King from America was third fastest with 1:05.64.

Smith will swim for gold in the final at 21:25 on Monday night.

Also impressing in the pool was Pieter Coetze. The 20-year-old set an African Record for the men's 100m backstroke with his 52.63 effort in the semifinals on Sunday.

Competition is tough in the backstroke, with China's Jiayu Xu the fastest qualifier with a time of 52.02. Coetze was tied third fastest with local hopeful Yohann Ndoye-Brouard of France, who fired up the crowd inside the arena.

The men's 100m backstroke final takes place at 21:19 tonight in Paris.

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