Maurice Greene won his third straight world championship 100m title when he led a US clean sweep in the final last night.
But the 27-year-old's hopes of breaking his own world record vanished when he could only manage 9.82sec.
Tim Montgomery, who had run the fastest 100m this season until Greene snatched the gold last night, came home second in 9.85sec with Bernard Williams third in 9.94sec to complete an American clean sweep of the medals.
Once again Ato Boldon, the Commonwealth champion, came up short in his battle with Greene.
He could only finish fourth ahead of Britain's Dwain Chambers.
Greene's hopes of pulling off the sprint double look doomed after he snatched at his left leg as he crossed the line and quickly pulled up.
The American has been complaining all season of a knee problem but despite the pain nothing could stop him taking the traditional victory lap.
It was a nerve-wracking start to the race as first Kim Collins false started. Then Boldon burst off the blocks too soon only to be followed by Montgomery.
AFP