Cape Town - South Africa's Chad le Clos started his title defence with a silver medal on the opening day of the first leg of the FINA World Swimming Cup in Kazan on Friday.

In the men's 100m butterfly, the 26-year-old came in tied for second along with Russia's Igor Kuimov - touching the wall simultaneously at 52.00 seconds.

America's Michael Andrew edged the duo as he won the race in a time of 51.96.

South African compatriot Ryan Coetzee, who won bronze at the Commonwealth Games this year, missed out on a podium position as he finished fourth (52.10).

Le Clos made history last year when he became the first man to win four World Cup Series titles - winning in 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2017.

The men's and women's series winners take home $150 000 each with an additional boost for the each overall cluster winner, who collects $50 000.

The opening leg of the Swimming World Cup in Kazan continues on Saturday and Sunday.

Keeping it in ???? ??Great job @SwimmerMichael with the win tonight bro, not 2 bad for me, will be back stronger got the 200 tom ??????????????????

— Chad Le Clos (@chadleclos) September 7, 2018

FINA Swimming World Cup 2018 - Kazan ????#FINA #SWC18 #Swimming ????‍?? #100Fly @speedo @omegawatches pic.twitter.com/hbHUuaSYIz

— FINA (@fina1908) September 7, 2018

Fantastic race in the men’s #100FLY #Kazan #FINA #SWC18. Last year’s overall FINA World Cup winner on the men’s side @chadleclos92 in action ?? https://t.co/bEozhdW5qV @fina1908 pic.twitter.com/LRqrhFVfUt

— FINA (@fina1908) September 7, 2018