SHANGHAI - Denmark's Lotte Friis controlled the women's 1500 meters freestyle final to win the gold medal at the swimming world championships on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old from Blovstrød, led the race from the outset and touched home in 15:49.59.

Kate Ziegler of USA came second in 15:55.60 and China's Xuanxu Li third in 15:58.02.