Commonwealth Games: Gina Kennedy has no problem breezing past Kuruppu

The difficulty with covering the exploits of Beckenham squash ace Georgina Kennedy at a multi-sports games is that she tends to make such short work of her opponents.

Kennedy told the South London Press everything has gone to plan in her two 3-0 victories to date and admitted she felt sorry for Sri Lankan junior Yeheni Kuruppu, whom she welcomed to Birmingham by beating 11-1, 11-1, 11-1 last night.

“I think so far everything’s gone to plan,” said the Beckenham star. “I haven’t been too nervous, I haven’t had any games where I was close to losing.”

Speaking after seeing off Canadian Nicole Bunyan 11-3, 11-1, 11-3 this afternoon, Kennedy said: “I was just focusing on every point as if it was match point and that’s how I tend to play a match, regardless of who I’m playing with. Whether I’m playing a junior like I played last night – who was lovely, by the way, and I did feel bad afterwards – or whether I’m playing Nicole or the number one seed. I’m going in there to win every point.”

After cruising past Kuruppu, the former Langley Park School pupil was on the show court to take on Bunyan.

“I was really happy that I was able to play on the glass today against Nicole,” said the 25-year-old. “She’s really tested me out there. I had to be on my game. I’m happy with how I’m playing. I’m feeling good out there and I’m enjoying the glass court and can’t wait for tomorrow.”

As a South London rep on the global stage, the Beckenham ace, seeded third for the tournament, said she has already been told she is a role model.

“I’ve already had quite a few juniors come up to me and I’ve had letters from people saying I’m their role model and that they’ve written about me. That’s, I think, the beauty of the Commonwealth Games and of any sport that can be televised and that can be written about in the papers: it’s inspirational.

“I remember, my role models growing up were Paula Radcliffe and Kelly Holmes,” said Kennedy, who at one point appeared set to be a talented distance runner. “I just wanted to be them and that’s why this is so special to me because I always wanted to represent our country and I hope that’s what I’m able to do for some young juniors. That’s ultimately what we want to do, to grow our sport, and the way to do that is to get juniors involved.”

As far as her home turf, south of the river is concerned, Kennedy added: “My coach Ben Ford, at Bexley, has a lot of junior players coming through and there’s definitely going to be another South Londoner coming through, I’m sure of it.”

Kennedy is due to face Malaysian Rachel Arnold or Welsh player Tesni Evans on the show court in the quarter finals at 6pm tomorrow.