Merrien's hoodoo still alive and well

IT'S happened again.

Just when it looked as if Guernsey's Ali Merrien was going to lay her hoodoo in the WBT Women's World Match Play singles at Potters Leisure Resort, she agonisingly lost on a tiebreak in the final.

And, incredibly, it was 36-year-old England star Debbie Stavrou who foiled the Sarnian – beating Merrien for the fourth year running to retain the title.

Armchair viewers, watching the match on BBC2 in Guernsey, were no doubt swearing at their screens when a fluke gave Stavrou the first set and, as Merrien won the second quite comfortably, it should have been all over in straight sets.

'We all need a little help sometimes,' said Stavrou afterwards.

'I can't believe I've beaten Ali, who's a great player, and won the title again. I'm so happy – this second win is just as sweet as the first.'

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