Phelps qualifies 2nd in 200 freestyle heats

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ROME (The Associated Press) -

Michael Phelps has the second-fastest time in morning heats for the 200-meter freestyle at the world championships

Paul Biedermann of Germany was fastest in 1 minute, 45.30 seconds.

Swimming his first individual event, Phelps clocked 1:45.60. Danila Izotov of Russia qualified third for the semifinals later Monday.

Phelps set the world record of 1:42.96 at last year's Beijing Olympics.

On Sunday, Biedermann broke Ian Thorpe's seven-year-old world record in the 400 free.

Phelps also won his first gold Sunday, swimming the leadoff leg for the Americans in the 400 free relay.

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