ALI MERRIEN and husband Ian, who were guaranteed places in the main draw for the blue riband singles event at the Australian Open, are delighted the wait is over and that they are now getting into action against some of the best bowlers in the world.

Ian (pictured) opened his bid yesterday with a tough game against Aussie Paul Morris and came out on top of a tense tiebreak, 6-7, 10-7, 4-3.

Facing Kiwi legend Rowan Brassey, a former world championship and Commonwealth Games medallist, in the second round, Merrien held his own in the first set, which was tied, but faded in the second set as Brassey won 10-10, 10-4.

Don’t be surprised if Anna Hoogwerf, who is Ali’s first-round opponent in the women’s singles, turns up at the Shepparton Park green today in mini-skirt and fishnet stockings, astride a highly powered motor-cycle.

The young Victorian caused quite a stir a few years back when she competed in the WIBC world indoor championships in Belfast – after hitting the headlines back at home as a pin-up who posed with a Harley Davidson.

If Ali gets past Hoogwerf, there are some big tests in store, with the 1992 world champion Carmen Anderson, and Aussie stars Maria Rigby and Karen Murphy lying in wait in the Sarnian’s section of the draw.

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