[8] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) 3-1 [16] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) 11-7, 12-14, 11-6, 11-7 (55m)
One of those matches you really enjoy watching. Two fair players, fighting for every point, but very little calls, just two tough competitors grinding the other one out.
The second game is the turning point. Although Rowan won it on her second attempt, saving two game balls on the way, Gina made her do a heck of a lot of work. Making the rallies very long, gruelling, endless reflexes and accurate squash altogether.
After that, Rowan struggled a bit physically. It became obvious in the third, down 1/3, she imposed her game with a big push 5/3, only to let the lead go, and found herself 5/10 down, losing the game 11/6 in 9m.
Another huge push from the Egyptian in the fourth, down 7/2, she just powered off some incredibly accurate squash rallies, Gina’s squash was as immaculate, and we were served to some impressive quality squash, 7/8. But two winners from Gina to follow and adding insult to injury, a lucky serve that dies ace-like…
“She is ahead of schedule”, smiles Wael El Hindi, her coach, “but she cannot see it. She is on the way, she is getting stronger and stronger. She was beating top 20. Now it’s another level, top 10. She is doing extremely well, but again, she cannot see it yet….”
Gina : “I’m really happy with that performance.
“It’s obviously great to see Rowan coming back into form. This time a year ago we played and she had a horrendous injury, so it’s just been an awful time for her. To see her back playing in the last 16 of a World Championships is amazing, so all credit to her and it was a really tough battle today.
“I’m really, really happy to get through that.
“I think I was up in that second and there was the potential that I could have panicked a little bit after losing that second and she came out firing in the third as well. But I was very clear on my game plan today and I knew what to do, I was really happy that it was early on a back court, which helped.
“It helped me reset mentally. I think like the environment was probably a bit better for me to focus a little bit. But it was tough and any of those games could have gone either way. So I’m happy that I came through.
“It’s obviously difficult to play outdoors in this heat and so late at night. I’m quite an early bird, I’ve been waking up so early here, so I’m happy to play earlier in the day when I have a bit more energy. I’ve got a rest day tomorrow as well, so I’ll completely shift my mindset and I’m so super excited to get out on that amazing court. I definitely felt more comfortable on this court today than the glass court outdoors.
“I’m happy with where my game is at, at the moment. I’ve been consistently making my seeding in all of the events I’ve been playing, which I’m happy with and I’ve had a few really good wins on the way. I’m still struggling to find that next level that’s going to put me up in and amongst the top eight. I definitely feel like I’m getting clearer with how I see my game progressing over the next few years.”
