Dipika Pallikal, Joshna Chinappa Secure Tight Wins in US Open Squash
Dipika, the world number 19 defeated Joelle, who came in as a qualifier but with credentials of being a former world number four and more importantly had reached the final of a major tournament (Carol Weymuller Open in New York) recently.
India's leading female players Dipika Pallikal and Joshna Chinappa stole stunning victories over Joelle King and Annie Au to enter the second round of the Delaware Investments US Open squash event here.
However, India's top male player Saurav Ghosal suffered a first round loss in the matches played last night.
Dipika, the world number 19 defeated Joelle, who came in as a qualifier but with credentials of being a former world number four and more importantly had reached the final of a major tournament (Carol Weymuller Open in New York) recently.
The New Zealander, who is returning to professional squash after being out for a brief period through injuries, did not prove an easy opponent but the 16th seeded Dipika seeking to get back into good competitive form, fought her way from a game down to win in five games, the match lasting over an hour. She won 8-11, 13-11, 5-11, 11-7, 11-9. The Indian ace plays the fourth seed Alison Waters of England.
World No.20 Joshana accounted for ninth seed Annie in surprisingly 28 minutes of tight play. The Indian national champion won in straight games 11-6, 11-7, 12-10. She next plays Omneya Kawy, the sixth seed from Egypt.
Saurav was unlucky to have faced the third seed Gregory Gaultier of France in the very first match. Even he put up a good resistance, Gregory was far too strong to win 11-5, 11-6, 12-10.