Kingston’s Zoe Hives and Tasmanian Harry Bourchier after wins in the Queensland Junior Claycourt International singles.
ZOE Hives has secured her first ITF junior tennis singles title.
The Kingston youngster took out the Queensland Junior Claycourt International at Drinan Park Tennis Centre at Bundaberg on Sunday.
Seeded 14, Hives went through the tournament without conceding a set.
The 15-year-old defeated West Australian and eighth seed Astra Sharma 6-3 6-4 in the 18 and under final.
“I’m pretty happy and excited to be honest,” Hives said.
“It was a hard match, Astra had a big serve and big shots.
“My forehand and backhand were going really well, but I just had to keep in the point to wait until I could get an opening,” she said.
For Hives, the win is the perfect preparation for Australia’s Junior Federation Cup Asia Oceania qualifying tie in Bendigo next week.
She will team up with Naithka Bains and Isabelle Wallace in a bid to qualify Australia for world finals in Europe later this year.
Hives earned a place in the last eight by defeating top seed Danielle Fenerdis, of New Zealand.
She then upset Optus 14s National Claycourt champion Sara Tomic in the quarter finals and defeated Wallace, who is also from Victoria, in a semi-final.
The win over Wallace provided added satisfaction, given Hives had lost to her in a deciding set in the national under-16 singles semi-finals.
The Bundaberg success gives Hives two ITF titles, with her having won a doubles event in New Zealand.
Hives expects to join the Junior Federation Cup team in Bendigo on Friday in readiness for Tuesday’s start of play.