Rome - Germany came within 14 hundredth of a second to breaking the US-held world record in the men's 4x100m individual medley relay on Sunday when they led the field into Sunday night's world championship final.

The German team of Helge Meeuw, Hendrik Feldwehr, Bejamin Starke and Paul Biedermann finished in a time of 3.29.48 taking more than two seconds off the old championship record, which was also held by the US.

Australia, who swam in the same heat as Germany, finished with a time of 3:29.84.

The US, who as usual rested some of their key swimmers, also had no problems in getting to the final when they won their heat with a time of 3:29.94.

In the men's 400m individual medley American Scott Tyler Clary had the fastest time with 4:10.04.

Hungarian Laszlo Cseh, who won silver in the 200m individual medley earlier in the week, finished .29 seconds off the pace, ahead of his compatriot Gergo Kis, who finished with a time of 4:10.99.

American Ryan Lochte, who won the 200m individual medley, had the fourth-fastest time and said that he did not really like racing the IM early in the morning.

"I generally back off on the 400 individual medley in the mornings, which stinks. Right now I am fourth and in lane six, which I like.

"So hopefully they won't see me.

"Anything is possible. If I play my cards right and have a really good swim anything can happen."

He said he did not know what splits he had for the individual sectors.

"I don't really focus on the splits. I kind of just go out there and race. That's what it all comes down to."

In the women's 400m individual medley world record holder Stephanie Rice had the fastest time going into Sunday's final.

The Australian swam a 4:34.62, to beat American Elizabeth Beisel, who finished in a time of 4:34.80.

Hungarian Katinka Hosszu had the third-fastest time with 4:35.15, while Canadian Tanya Hunks and American Julia Smit also advanced to the final with the equal time of 4:35.84.

Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry, who on Saturday won the women's 200m backstroke and won a silver medal in the 400m IM at the Beijing Olympics, also qualified for the finals in a time of 4:36.42.

The competition ends in the Foro Italico on Sunday evening with the finals of the men's 50m backstroke, the 400m individual medley, the 1,500 freestyle and the 4x100 medley relay, as well as the women's final in the 50m breaststroke, the 50m freestyle and the 400m individual medley.

After the finals a short closing ceremony will be held.(dpa)