Crossword Genius

Oddly, spy I love is a girl (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sylvia

'girl' is the definition.

'oddly spy i love is a' is the wordplay.
'oddly' means one should take alternating letters.
'spy'+'i'+'love'+'is'='spyiloveis'
The alternate letters of 'spyiloveis' are 'sylvi'.
'sylvi'+'a'='SYLVIA'

(Other definitions for sylvia that I've seen before include "American poet, 1932-63" , "Girl's name" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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