'Karen and I go back a long way,' said Merrien, whose 7-7, 12-3 victory saw her clinch a place in the semi-finals of the event she won so memorably in 2011 when, as it happens, she defeated Murphy in the final.
'We first met in the world outdoor championships in Moama in 2000, when, if I recall, she won narrowly – but we've played many times since then including that final three years ago,' Merrien added.
Standing between the super Sarnian and a place in the final is an 18-year-old saxophonist from Ipswich, Katherine Rednall, who has taken the event by storm.
The semi-final between Merrien and Rednall is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, when the action is due to be broadcast by BBC TV.
More in todays Guernsey Press.
