Australian sprinter Patrick Johnson cemented his place among the world's best 100m runners, beaten by the merest of margins by world record holder Tim Montgomery at the Osaka Grand Prix in Japan.

American Montgomery clocked 10.04sec to Johnson's 10.05, with the Australian leading the world class field until the final few metres of the race.

Behind Johnson were Japanese star Shingo Suetsugu (10.16) and 2001 world championship bronze medallist Bernard Williams (10.17) of the USA.

Canberra-based Johnson became the fastest man in the world this year and the first Australian to break the 10-second barrier with his 9.93 in the 100m at Mito, Japan on Monday.

Johnson proved he was capable of matching it with the fastest man in history.

He led Montgomery for the first 70m, but the American prevailed with a desperate lunge on the line to pip the Australian.

"I know where I am now. I know what my challenge is. It's very encouraging," Johnson told AAP tonight before boarding a plane home to Australia.

Montgomery told reporters after the race he was still to reach peak condition.

The world silver medallist was a surprise runner-up in his first outdoor 100m race of the season at Mexico City last week.

"It just shows that I need more work," Montgomery said.

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