Athletics: Determined Holmes upholds winning start

Kelly Holmes took encouragement from a third straight win of the summer season with victory over 800 metres at the Seville Grand Prix meeting yesterday.

The Olympic bronze medallist held off Maite Martinez, finishing 0.13 seconds ahead of her Spanish rival in a time of 2:00.46. Holmes confirmed that she would not run at the Tsiklitiria Grand Prix in Athens today, but was delighted with her performance. "I felt really strong and would have liked to have gone under two minutes," she said . "But I'm happy – it was another encouraging run."

Daniel Caines, last year's world indoor 400m gold medallist, made an impressive start to his outdoor season. Against strong opposition, Caines finished second in 45.39sec which puts him top of the British rankings.

In the 1500m A race, Andy Graffin enhanced his hopes of Commonwealth selection when beating John Mayock. The former AAA 3,000m champion finished fifth in 3:38.01. Mayock finished 10th. It was a Kenyan clean sweep in a sprint finish, victory going to the world silver medallist Bernard Lagat in 3:36.52.

In Dortmund, there was an easy 110m hurdles victory for Colin Jackson. The world record holder coasted to an easy win in 13.41sec in his first race of the season.

Dwain Chambers warmed-up for his 100m encounter with world record holder Maurice Greene and reigning Commonwealth champion Ato Boldon in Athens tonight by winning both the 100m and 200m in Poland. Fellow Briton Marlon Devonish was second on both occasions.