Alison's world double

THE best Australia and New Zealand can offer has been made to look second best by Alison Merrien over the past couple of days.

To reach the World Cup final in Warilla, Alison Merrien had to break her duck over a long-standing rival, the Australian favourite Karen Murphy.

The Guernsey player's well-deserved 7-8, 10-6, 3-1 win over Murphy, who won the world outdoor pairs title in January, was achieved in front of a partisan crowd and national television cameras.

The win not only avenged a defeat in the qualifying group but several previous losses at the Aussie's hands.

But this time it could have been a straight sets victory for the Vale star, who controlled the first set.