Double defeat for Merrien

SOME days are best forgotten and yesterday was one of those for Guernsey's Ali Merrien, who is battling to keep her hopes alive in the World Outdoor Champion of Champions in Kowloon.

Not only did it rain almost all day, but Merrien, who won the title in 2007, lost both her games against opponents over whom she would normally be expected to prevail.

The first was a close call, in a match between Merrien and Filipina Ainie Knight, that produced only 25 shots in 21 ends – three of those coming on the last end of a tense tiebreak.

Merrien led throughout the first set, although the winning margin after the nine ends was a single shot, 5-4.