World no. 700 falls to Alice

ALICE LOVERIDGE has beaten the world number 700 on her first venture onto the international stage. Loveridge, just 11, is playing at number one for the Guernsey women at the world team championships in Bremen, Germany.

It was an outstanding result from the youngster who was the only winner in Guernsey's 3-1 loss to Lebanon in their opening match.

Loveridge was understandably a little nervous as she started out against Lara Kodjabachian and the more experienced player won the opening set 11-7.

The second set followed a similar pattern and Kodjabachian won it 11-6.

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But facing defeat Loveridge began to relax and play her normal attacking game.

She edged the third 11-9, the next to eight and then opened an 8-4 lead in the fifth with some great play.

But Kojabachiaan reacted with a six-point streak to lead 10-8 and hold match point.

Loveridge did not relent. She levelled at 10-10 and, after more tremendous rallies and surviving two more match points, the Guernsey schoolgirl won 15-13 to register the best win of her fledgling career and with it announce herself on the world stage.

Fellow juniors Paula Le Ber and Bethany Pipet also faced tough games on their senior international debuts and lost in straight sets.

As the matches are first to three, Loveridge returned to the table and played against Le Ber's conqueror, Mariana Sohqian, the Lebanese number one.

Despite playing well and winning the first game 11-9, Loveridge lost the next three.