The 14-time Olympic gold medalist and world-record holder in the event was hardly at his dominating best, getting chased down in the final 25 meters. D’Arcy touched the wall in 1 minute, 55.39 seconds.

Phelps took comfort in the close finish and believes he’s on pace to be at full-strength for the world championships next month in Shanghai. Still, Phelps hadn’t lost the 200 fly in almost nine years and now has dropped three in a row.

The two other losses came to China’s Peng Wu.