BEIJING — Elaine Breeden had hoped to gain a spot in the Olympic finals of the women's 100-meter butterfly.

Then again, it's the 200 'fly that is her specialty.

So when she tied for sixth in her semifinal heat Sunday morning, there were no tears in the building known as The Water Cube. Now, she has another day to rest for the 200 'fly.

Breeden's swim came moments after Michael Phelps snagged the first of what he hopes will be eight gold medals.

His time of 4:03.84 destroyed both his day-old Olympic record of 4:07.82 and his world record of 4:05.25, set in June at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Breeden's heat was won by Australia's Lisbeth Trickett in 57.05 seconds. Christine Magnuson of Team USA placed second in 57.08, advancing to the finals.

Breeden touched sixth, tied with Alena Popchanka of France, in 58.55.

Australia's Jessica Schipper won the second heat in 57.43.

Finals are set for Monday morning in Beijing (Sunday night in Kentucky).

About 12 hours before the semifinals, Saturday night in Beijing, Breeden advanced by placing third in her preliminary heat and sixth overall, timed in 58.06.

"It was really good. I was happy with the swim," Breeden said of her opener. "It was good to get one race under. It's been a long process since (last month's U.S. Olympic Team) Trials and, hopefully, there are more good ones to come."

Magnuson won the heat in 57.70. Schipper had the fastest prelim time, 57.58. Poland's Otylia Jedrzaejczak, the 2004 gold-medalist, missed qualifying by one place.

The 17,000-seat Water Cube was, of course, dominated by Chinese fans. But Breeden said she was sparked by some vociferous teammates.

"I've got 40 other swimmers from America I'm swimming for," said Breeden, a Stanford University junior. "And no matter how many people are in the stands, when I hear them cheering for me I get the same feeling."

Phelps led a 1-3 American finish in the IM.

Laszlo Cseh of Hungary took the silver medal in a European-record 4:086.16. Ryan Lochte won the bronze in 4:08.09.