Hong Kong's star swimmer Siobhan Haughey on Thursday advanced to the final of the 100-metre freestyle event at the World Aquatics Championships in Budapest.

The 27-year-old qualified after finishing fifth overall in the semi-finals, where she clocked a time of 51.83 seconds. American Gretchen Walsh topped the rankings with a 50.49-second finish.

The final round is set to begin at 12.32am on Friday, Hong Kong time.

Haughey will also be looking to defend her 200-metre freestyle title on Sunday, in what will be one of her last races before taking a few months off from the sport in the new year.