Tennis: Schoolgirl puts boys in the shade

Libby Radford prepares to return a shot in the Otago 18 years and under tennis final in Dunedin...
Libby Radford prepares to return a shot in the Otago 18 years and under tennis final in Dunedin yesterday. Photo by Peter McIntosh.
She fought the boys - and the boys lost.

Libby Scott (15) won seven consecutive singles matches, all in straight sets, to win two age group titles at the Otago junior championships over the last four days.

The difference is that she won them against the best boys in the Southern Region in the 16 and under and 18 and under sections.

She played Matt White in the 16s final and won 6-1, 6-0, then Josh Dalziel in the 18s final, winning 7-5, 6-4.

When the entries for the girls' events were assessed, it was decided that Scott, who is already the No 1 junior and senior in the Southern Region, would get more benefit playing in the boys' section.

The St Hildas Collegiate pupil is unbeaten in all matches since April.

Her feats are reminiscent of Dianne Hollands and Shelley Stephens at the same age, and both went on to forge professional careers.

Hollands has won five tournaments and $13,000 on the NZ circuit in the last three weeks.

Scott often does not appear to be dominating, or even winning, but when the scorecard comes in another comfortable win is registered.

"I like playing against the boys. It's more challenging playing different styles," she said after her final win yesterday.

"It's ideal preparation for playing the top New Zealand girls I'm going to meet over the next few weeks at the nationals. I'm getting used to my new racquet and it's been great having plenty of hard play."

Scott's long -term goal is to go to an American college to follow in the path of Hollands, who was a star at the University of Arizona.

She would like to meet Hollands and find out what it takes to sustain a professional career.

From the local followers' point of view, the exciting thing is that Scott will be available for at least the next two years at a local level, and has another full year in the 16s age group.

 

 

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