Crossword Genius

Love to form a bond that's outstanding (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

owed

'outstanding' is the definition.
(as in an outstanding debt)

'love to form a bond' is the wordplay.
'love' becomes 'o' (love means zero in tennis).
'to form a bond' becomes 'wed' (as in wedding things together).
'o'+'wed'='OWED'

'that's' is the link.

(Other definitions for owed that I've seen before include "Outstanding" , "to be paid" , "Had an obligation to pay" , "In debt to" , "(Sum) due for payment" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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