Dayron Robles optimistic against Liu Xiang in Stockholm

STOCKHOLM (AP) - World-record holder Dayron Robles says he's not surprised he lost to rival Liu Xiang in the hurdles at an indoor meet last week, promising a competitive race in Stockholm on Thursday.Liu won the 60-meter hurdles final Saturday in Birmingham, England, in 7.41 seconds, nearly a tenth of a second ahead the world-record holder. It was their first meeting since last year's world championships.

"I'm not surprised with his time because he prepared for that and he feels very well," Robles said.

He promised a competitive rematch in Stockholm on Thursday.

"Every time I come to win. Every time," Robles said. "Outside the track, Liu Xiang is a very good friend."

For his part, Liu said he was hoping to repeat his strong performance.

"I felt that I was in a very good shape," he said. "I hope that I can do better, or at least as good."

Also in the field at the GE Galan indoor meet is two-time Olympic champion Yelena Isinbayeva. She'll face 20-year-old Holly Bleasdale of Britain.

Isinbayeva returned in 2011 from a yearlong break from competition. While she doesn't dominate the sport these days, it's helped her enjoy the sport even more, she said.

The Olympic champion, world-record holder and multiple indoor and outdoor world champion said the pressure to win became too much.

"The last two years, of course, were difficult for me. I was just tired physically and mentally," she said. "Now I can just enjoy the pole vault and do my best every time."

That doesn't mean she's lowered her ambitions - the 29-year-old Russian is aiming for a third Olympic gold in London.

"I will never compete for second or third place," she said.