Theisen second after first two events of heptathlon at world track championships

MOSCOW – Canadian Brianne Theisen is second after the first two events of the heptathlon at the world track and field championships.

The native of Humboldt, Sask., trailed Ganna Melnichenko of Ukraine after the 100 hurdles and high jump.

The seven-discipline, two-day event is wide open since Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill and defending champion Tatyana Chernova are both out injured.

After two events, Melnichenko had a 2,135-2,115 lead over Theisen Eaton, with the shot put and the 200 still to come later Monday.

American favourite Sharon Day was in fifth place following a disappointing high jump of 1.82 metres, which left her 12 centimetres off her best. She has the top performance of the season of any athlete competing at Luzhniki Stadium and is expected to bounce back.

Theisen’s husband Ashton Eaton, a gold medallist for the U.S. in the decathlon, was in the stands watching his wife. The two were married in July.

Canadians Matt Hughes and Alex Genest advanced to the men’s 3,000-metre steeplechase.

Already atop the medal standings after the opening weekend of the world championships, the United States will be looking for more Monday in the women’s 100 metres and a possible sweep of the men’s 110 hurdles.

Usain Bolt already won the premier event, the men’s 100, on Sunday, but defending champion Carmelita Jeter and top qualifier English Gardner will be looking to get even on Monday in the U.S.-Jamaica sprint rivalry.

In the 110 hurdles, it looks like the United States could win all three medals with Olympic champion Aries Merritt, defending champion Jason Richardson and the season’s top performer, David Oliver, all in the final.

Heading into the evening session, the United States leads the medal standings with two gold and three overall, edging Kenya and Ethiopia, which both have one medal of each colour.

Bolt and 100 bronze medallist Nesta Carter put Jamaica into fourth place.

The other finals on Day 3 are the men’s pole vault, where Olympic champion Renaud Lavillenie will be looking for his first world title, and the men’s hammer throw. In the women’s shot put, Valerie Adams of New Zealand will be looking for her fourth world title in a row, while Amantle Montsho of Botswana will be looking to retain her 400 title.