The duel that never was is now definitely over before it started: Michael Phelps (USA), the Olympic champion, clocked 1:44.07 in the prelims of the 200m freestyle at the World Cup in Berlin, for fifth place in his heat and 12th overall.

 The other protagonist in the duel that never was, world champion and record holder Paul Biedermann (GER), went through to the final comfortably:  1:42.73.  A 1:42.78 is the best Phelps has swum short-course metres, back in 2006. A year from now, should he make himself available for the world s/c championships in Dubai, we might expect him to do a best time. By then too, we might expect to see fair competition under the auspices of a new rule that from January 1, 2010 bans the bosysuit and the use of anything but a FINA-definition textile suit.

Later in the session, Phelps qualified for the final of the 200m medley at the helm on 1:55.92. Instant correct. Instant response. Determination renewed. In the freestyle, every turn, Phelps tried to stay on terms. Impossible, it seemed, in the company of the surfboards all about. On medley, he was finding a length  competitive with those either side of him, and was not about to be caught down and out again. 

The American did what he came to do: the best that he could under the circumstances.  Those circumstances include Phelps's fitness for purpose right now. He is testing himself at a time in his career when he goes to training if he feels like it. Some mornings he does not. So he stays in bed. The journey is long and Phelps has begun a new chapter, as has coach Bob Bowman.

Ross Davenport (GBR) came home first in the Olympic chapion's heat: 1:43.27 for third overall. Next through after Biedermann was Brent Hayden (CAN), on 1:43.15.

This world cup tour has been presented by some as a flop for Phelps. The swimmer notes that he has several best times under his belt, while Bowman notes: "If we go back and look at Michael's world cup history I don't know that we'll find any races that he's won." Phelps noted that he had not won a race the last time he went on world cup tour, missing the top spot in Stockholm, Paris and Maryland - on his way to that date with destiny in Beijing 2008.

And that's the point. Context and time and place have always been keys on the five-ringed stellar career of the most successful Olympian in history, all sports. "I'm doing some best times and for doing it when not having done the training or not having done the amount of training. I'm not in an awful place," Phelps told SwimNews. "I'm not in a great place, but i'd rather be in here and trying to do my best." 

"I know 100% that I'm not in the best shape not really in shape at all," added Phelps. "I know that the biggest thing I have not had is consistency. There are days when I've woken up and have not felt like going [training] so ... I won't go. If you're forcing yourself to go its not fun." 

Phelps has a season of much winter competition ahead of him. He aims to enjoy it, come what may. There will be a moment too when lockdown will come calling - and on past record, Phelps will answer that call in the only way he has known: determined to make sure he is fit for purpose at the right moment.