Kenya's Olympic champion and world record holder, who returned to action last month after a year out with a knee injury, had predicted two days earlier that he would run close to 1:42, but he was satisfied given the weather to match the time set by his Kenyan compatriot Asbel Kiprop in Paris a week ago.

On a day which produced another 2014 world-leading time - from Ethiopia's Hiwot Ayalew, who clocked 9:10.64 in the women's 3000m steeplechase - Rudisha found a way to profit on the Hampden Park track where, the day before, Jamaica's former world 100m champion Yohan Blake, also seeking to regain top form after a year out with injury, failed to finish his race as hamstring trouble forced him to the ground.

In what was his first appearance in Great Britain since his world record run at the London 2012 Olympics, Rudisha delivered a solo sub-53 second final lap which stirred the 15,000 fans witnessing a meeting which presages the Commonwealth Games competition, which will be held in the same venue in two weeks' time.

"I am getting back into shape and I'm happy to run a season's best time despite the conditions not being the best for a perfect time," said Rudisha, who will challenge for 800m gold at the Glasgow 2014 Games.

"I'm happy to have done what I came for.

"It's a great feeling to come here and test the field and the track ahead of the Commonwealth Games, it was a great experience."

It was the 15th Diamond League win of the Olympic champion's career and takes him to the top of this year's Diamond Race ahead of Olympic silver medallist Nijel Amos.

The Botswanan chose to run the 400m in Glasgow, where he finished last in 46.34 in the non-Diamond League event won by his compatriot Issac Makwala in 44.71.

Ayalew took more than a half-a-second from Sofia Assefa's world lead, crossing the line in 9:10.64.

Hiwot Ayalew celebrates a new world best time for 2014 in the women's 3000m steeplechase in Glasgow ©British Athletics/Getty Images

Dutch sprinter Dafne Schippers set two national records in the space of two hours as she won the 200m in 22.34 ahead of London 2012 Olympic Games champion Allyson Felix and Nigeria's Diamond Race leader Blessing Okagbare, just two hours after winning the 100m B race in 11.03.

"I'm very happy with two good races," said Schippers, the IAAF World Championships heptathlon bronze medallist in Moscow last summer.

"Obviously, I was a little bit tired after the first race but I know I can run faster when I'm tired.

"I'm 22 and I have won a Diamond League event, and that is not normal.

"I'm so happy with that.

"It is amazing to be running alongside the likes of Allyson Felix."

Queen Harrison of the United States won the 100m hurdles with time to spare in 12.58, finishing 0.10 clear of compatriot Lolo Jones, with reigning Olympic champion Sally Pearson third in 12.87.

However, it was a satisfactory outing for the Australian as it was her best time this summer and she finished ahead of Britain's Tiffany Porter, who is likely to be her main rival at the impending Games.

"For me, it's all about wearing the gold and green," said Pearson.

"But the Commonwealths will be tough because Tiffany is in such great form."

A huge lifetime best of 86.99m in the last round secured a shock victory for Germany's Thomas Rohler in the men's javelin, the best of the day's field events.

Thomas Rohler of Germany won the javelin in Glasgow with a huge lifetime best of 86.99m ©British Athletics/Getty Images


Rohler, whose previous best was 84.74m, pushed Czech Republic's world champion and long-time leader Viteszslav Vesely into second with a throw that will make him one of the favourites for a medal at the European Athletics Championships next month.

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