Roy-Allan Burch, the Bermuda swimmer, has reason for optimism after setting a personal best in the 100 metres freestyle semi-finals at the Commonwealth Games on Saturday.

Burch placed fifth in his heat in a time of 50.26sec to finish eleventh overall in the competition at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre.

The 28-year-old will now turn his attentions to the 50 freestyle — his signature stroke — in which he competes today.

“That’s my personal best, so I’m pretty happy with that, although I was trying to go under 50 seconds,” Burch said.

“I can take some encouragement from that swim, as you always want to know that what you’re doing is working.

“However, my focus is really on the 50 because I’m more of a 50 guy who goes up to the 100.”

Burch knew that he had to make a flying start to stand any chance of forcing his way in the finals and found himself in second position at the halfway point.

But, as he expected, his body simply ran out of steam as he valiantly pushed for an always unlikely qualifying berth in the final.

“The only chance I had was to go out as fast as I could and see if I could hang on,” the North Carolina-based athlete said.

“My body doesn’t feel too bad right now, but I definitely got tied up in the last 15 metres or so.

“I’m not known for my back half, so I had to take it out fast and see where I ended up.

“We haven’t started our Olympic cycle in training yet, so these Games will really show me where I’m at going into Rio.”

Burch will be in action today at 7am Bermuda time.