To the fore!

Otago's Libby Scott swats the ball during a training session at the Edgar Centre yesterday. Photo...
Otago's Libby Scott swats the ball during a training session at the Edgar Centre yesterday. Photo: Peter McIntosh
Libby Scott was keen to play down her forehand and her prospects in the Otago Indoor Open this weekend.

The tournament gets under way at the Edgar Centre with qualifying rounds tonight.

Scott shapes as the leading Otago contender in the women's draw. But if you asked the 25-year-old about her chances, she would tell you she had not played in a proper tournament for the best part of two years.

The right-hander took up a sports scholarship at Coastal Carolina University six years ago and opted to take a competitive break from the sport when she returned home. A hand injury has also held her back.

She stayed involved in the sport through coaching work in Wanaka but this year she has been studying for a graduate diploma in early childhood education at the University of Otago.

"I have not really been playing but I'm just getting back into this year," Scott said.

"With coaching you keep playing a bit. But this will be my first tournament in a long, long time and I'm really looking for ward to it. I don't have too many expectations. I'm just going out there to have fun and to do the best I can."

While Scott has modest goals for the tournament, her chances have improved without even hitting a ball. She was drawn to play No 2 seed Elys Ventura in her opening match tomorrow morning.

But when No 1 seed Leela Beattie pulled out due to an ankle complaint, Scott got shuffled up the order. As the highest-ranked qualifier, she takes Beattie's place in the main draw and will play a qualifier instead.

Beattie's absence has stripped the tournament of a class player but the women's draw is still very competitive.

Defending women's champion Megan Rogers (Auckland) and beaten finalist Tessa McCann (Ashburton) have returned, and

Ventura is one of the best players in the country outside the players on the professional circuit.

Scott has teamed up with Dunedin's Jesse Stevenson in the doubles tournament as well, so it will be a busy weekend.

The quarterfinals and semifinals will be played tomorrow and finals are scheduled for Sunday from 10,30am.

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