Crossword Genius

Overdue daughter does change, starting to be ruined (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

desolated

'be ruined' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'overdue daughter does change starting' is the wordplay.
'overdue' becomes 'late' (similar in meaning).
'daughter' becomes 'd' (genealogical abbreviation).
'change' indicates an anagram.
'starting' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'does' is an anagram of 'deso'.
'late'+'d'='lated'
'lated' put after 'deso' is 'DESOLATED'.

'to' is the link.

(Other definitions for desolated that I've seen before include "Feeling lonely and wretched" , "Made extremely sad" , "Abandoned, ruined" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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