SYDNEY, Aug 9 - Libby Lenton smashed the women's 100 metres freestyle short-course world record on Monday in her semi-final at the Australian short-course championships in Melbourne.

Lenton's 51.91 seconds beat the 52.17 set by Sweden's Therese Alshammar in Athens in March 2000.

"To become the first woman under 52 seconds just shows what can be achieved," the 20-year-old told Swimming Australia's website.

The 100m final is on Tuesday.