Michael Johnson, a four-time Olympic gold medallist, was surprised at Asher-Smith’s failure to progress.

“I think it’s just not there in terms of that sharpness that you would normally see [from Asher-Smith],” he said on BBC.

“So, Dina had a great reaction to the gun but she should be ahead of Del Ponte on the other side of her because she is a better starter. She is ahead – but not as much as we would expect.

“Then the second part, that ability to continue to stride and pick up power that you need at the end of the race in order to maintain that momentum just wasn’t there.

“Del Ponte was coming through and Dina was moving backwards. This is a problem.”