Powell, who has been off injured for several weeks with tendinitis in his right knee, easily beat home the Dutch Antilles Churandi Martina, who timed 10.11sec, while another Jamaican Michael Frater was third in 10.19sec.

Powell was extremely relaxed and after the race saluted the record 20,000 spectators who turned up to see the Commonwealth champion become the first athlete this season to run under 10sec.

"I was under pressure because it was my first race of the season," admitted Powell.

"However I am happy with my performance. The weather was superb and it was an extremely well organised event.

"To date my season has been disturbed but I am feeling very relaxed and hungry for more competition."

Powell will next race at the meeting in Eugene, Oregon, on June 10, probably over 200m, before returning to Europe for the first Golden League meeting in Oslo on June 15.

Powell's compatriot Sherone Simpson, the fastest woman in the world last season, was also set to make her debut but had to pull out during the warm-up with a painful thigh.

In her absence Bulgarian Yvet Lalova prevailed in her first 100m in two years after being out with a serious knee injury.

America's 2000 Olympics 400m hurdles champion Angelo Taylor showed he is no slack performer over the flat 400m as he strolled home in another time under 45sec, 44.98.

Kenya's Moses Maisai put in another noteworthy performance on the night timing the best mark of the season for the 5,000m of 13min 08.81sec.