Merrien top of the pile in Hong Kong

GUERNSEY'S Alison Merrien tasted defeat for the first time in the World Outdoor Champion of Champions in Kowloon last night.

However, with four wins in five matches, she was still sitting pretty at the top of her group table – along with Scotland's Caroline Brown and Aussie Riina Bradbrook.

The Guernsey superstar felt ill when she woke up yesterday morning, but struggled through the day and won her first two matches against Zambia's Eddah Mpezeni and Holland's Saskia Schaft.

It was a typically brave performance from the Sarnian, who did not drop a set, beating the African, 11-3, 10-7, and the Dutch star 13-5, 13-3.