Ballarat’s Zoe Hives has been knocked out of the Australian Open wild card playoffs.
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After winning her opening round in straight sets, she advanced to the final eight where she met teenage sensation Destanee Aiava.
Aiava, the second seed, took out the first set 6-2 before Hives hit back to take the second 7-5. However, Aiava was able to reverse the momentum and gain full control, delivering a 6-0 win in the final set to move one step closer to the Australian Open main draw.
The clash with Aiava was always going to be a testing one.
The 17-year-old has been touted as one of Australia’s brightest rising stars. Nonetheless, Hives, who has found some continuity in her tennis, will be disappointed to let the opportunity slide by.
Aiava will now face Kimberly Birrell while Arina Rodionova and Tammi Patterson make-up the other semi-final.
Alex Bolt, Marc Polmans, Omar Jasika and Alex De Minaur are the remaining men.