MELBOURNE - The dominant Chinese diving team might meet big challenges here on Friday when Canadian top diver Alexandre Despatie keeps sharpening himself in the springboard.

As the reigning champion in the men's three-meter springboard, Despatie cruised into the semifinals on Friday as the top qualifier in Thursday's preliminary.

He Chong of China takes part in the preliminary round of the 3-metre springboard competition at the World Aquatics Championships in Melbourne March 22, 2007. [Reuters]

Although the Chinese aces Qin Kai and He Chong won't miss the chances to battle against Despatie in the final Friday evening, they couldn't be sure to seal the win for China while face an in-form Despatie.

The 21-year-old Despatie established his fame first as a platform specialist, triumphing in the tower at the 2003 Barcelona World Championships.

Then he proved himself to be an all-rounder by clinching two springboard world titles at home soil two years ago.

Although Despatie missed most of last season due to injuries, he showed his good form after arriving at Melbourne.

He had won the silver in the men's three-meter springboard synchronized event on Monday with partner Arturo Miranda, and enabled to position ahead of the two Chinese divers on Thursday by a margin of more than 10 points.

He Chong has been expected to make a splash in Melbourne but obviously is not in his best form.

He was beaten to second in the men's one-meter springboard final on Wednesday by teammate Luo Yutong and finished third in Thursday' s preliminary.

In the women's one-meter springboard, World Championships rookie He Zi entered Friday's final as the top finisher in the preliminary.

But the 34-year-old Russian veteran Irina Lashko and dual reigning champion Blythe Hartley both chased tightly. A minor mistake from He Zi could give those seasoned divers chances to take over.

In synchronized swimming, Russian duet Anastasia Ermakova and Anastasia Davydova are unlikely to lose the duet free final on Friday.

If the world and Olympic champions make it in the pool, Russia will collect their fifth synchronized swimming gold in Melbourne.