American Tyson Gay (left) edges out Derrick Atkins (centre) of The Bahamas and American Leonard Scott in the men's 100-metre dash at the third annual Reebok Grand Prix track and field meet, in New York, on June 2. - REUTERS

NEW YORK (Reuters):

American Tyson Gay eased to an impressive 100 metres victory and Chinese Olympic champion Liu Xiang overcame jet-lag to win the 110 metres hurdles at the Reebok Grand Prix on Saturday.

Gay, bidding to become the next great U.S. sprinter, cruised to a convincing 100 metres triumph in a wind-assisted 9.76 seconds, 0.01 seconds inside world record time.

The 24-year-old Gay said he felt the wind picking up on the blocks.

"I don't really want to chase the world record. I'm more so happy with the victory because there were some tough competitors today," Gay told reporters.

The 24-year-old outclassed a strong field including Olympic 200m gold medallist Shawn Crawford and Derrick Atkins of Bahamas, who entered the race boasting the second-fastest 100m time this year.

In the women's 100m, Jamaican Veronica Campbell dashed to victory, overcoming a false start and a stiff challenge from 2003 world champion Torri Edwards to lead the field in 10.93 seconds.

"I executed well. I focused on staying tall and leaning at the right time," the three-times Olympic medallist said.

Fastest 100m hurdles time

American Virginia Powell ran the year's fastest 100m hurdles time of 12.45 seconds.

World record holder Liu shook off a poor start to nudge past American Terrence Trammell, twice an Olympic silver medallist.

"I did not expect to do so well. I just knew that I had to beat Trammell," Liu said, adding that he felt tired after his long flight. "I did not expect both of us to be under 13 seconds."

Liu clocked 12.92 seconds and Trammell 12.95. Trammell partly blamed the loss on a strained adductor.

"It cramped on me," Trammell said. "I have mixed emotions because I'm happy with the time, but I'm disappointed with the loss."

American Alan Webb raced past Kenyan-born Bernard Lagat and Australian Craig Mottram to win the men's mile.

"With 110 metres to go, I just gave it everything I had and the rest is history," Webb said. "To beat these guys is no easy task."