Kirani James (left) and Lashawn Merritt (right) cross the finish line the same time of 43.97 ahead of third-place finisher Youssef Ahmed Masrahi (not in picture) in the men's 400m at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, Saturday, May 31, 2014.

RAYMOND GRAHAM, STAR Writer

A year ago, Grenada's Kirani James and the United States' Lashawn Merritt treated the crowd to an epic 400-metre battle at the Prefontaine Classic, with an exciting duel for the final 50 metres of the one-lap event.

The pair touched the finishing line together given the same time of 43.97 seconds, with James getting the win by the photo-finish camera.

Fast-forward one year later and both will renew their rivalry in tomorrow's.

The others who competed in that fantastic race a year ago will be back - Youssef Ahmed Masrahi of Saudi Arabia who was third last year, the Bahamas' Chris Brown, and the United States' Tony McQuay.

James has been in great form this season and has produced the two fastest times in the world after winning at the Drake Relays in 44.22 seconds and in Arizona in 44.31 seconds.

He will be going for his fourth win in a row this season and his second Diamond League success, after an effortless win in Shanghai in 44.66 seconds. There, he easily defeated Merritt, who was third in 45.58 seconds. His countryman, McQuay, was second in 45.54 seconds.

It has not been a good start. Merritt is yet to finish in front and will be hoping to improve on his season's best 44.85, done behind Masrahi at the Jamaica Invitational International in Kingston.

In Jamaica, the Saudi Arabian won in a season's best 44.59.

While James looks set to continue his winning ways here, there could be an exciting contest to see who finishes in the top three as Masrahi, Brown, McQuay and Merritt are all expected to battle all the way to the line.