Justin Gatlin serves notice to Bolt after clocking 9.74 seconds in Doha

American Justin Gatlin stormed to victory at the Diamond League opener in Doha on Friday winning the 100m to serve notice to Usain Bolt ahead of the world athletics championships in Beijing in August.

The 33-year-old Gatlin, who has served two doping bans, clocked 9.74 seconds - a world best for this year - making him the fifth fastest man ever.

Gatlin bettered his best mark of 9.77 which he achieved in Brussels last September.

World record holder Bolt (9.58sec) was absent in Doha but the message from Gatlin, who in 2014 also recorded six of the seven fastest times, was loud and clear.

Asked if it was meant for Bolt, Gatlin replied: "To the world! To anyone who is willing to listen or watch."

"You guys make him sound like he is a Lord Voldemort! It goes out to him, you guys won't say his name, and six other guys who are lining up for the competition (World Championships)."

The American finished ahead of US relay team-mate Michael Rodgers, who came in second at 9.96sec, and third-placed Keston Bledman of Trinidad and Tobago (10.01).

...SkySports