Crossword Genius

Bachelor with love in his heart (and a crush on someone?) (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

boa

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'his heart and a crush on someone?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how one could define the other.

'bachelor with love' is the wordplay.
'bachelor' becomes 'BA' (the qualification: Bachelor of Arts).
'with' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'love' becomes 'o' (love means zero in tennis).
'ba' going around 'o' is 'BOA'.

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for boa that I've seen before include "Large constricting snake" , "strangler" , "Non-venomous snake" , "Feathered neckwear - snake" , "One with scaly body" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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