Loveridge thrashes Sri Lankan in singles

ALICE LOVERIDGE moved her local form onto the Commonwealth stage as she began her women's singles campaign in style.

The 16-year-old Sarnian (pictued), already a four-time Guernsey champion, thrashed Kavindi Rukmali Sahabandu from Sri Lanka 4-1, never finding herself behind in the contest.

After winning the first game comfortably, she produced a stunning turnaround in the second after trailing both 7-1 and 8-2, she won nine of the next 10 points to put herself in control.

That cushion soon became three and although Sahabandu pulled one back in another tight fourth, Loveridge finished the job off with a comfortable fifth set, putting herself in a strong position to progress beyond the first round of preliminary groups.

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