Dipika Pallikal makes promising start in Toronto

India' s leading squash player Dipika Pallikal started off on a strong note in the Granite Open, beating Egyptian qualifier Nouran El Torky 3-1 in the first round of the USD 25,000 PSA world tour event here

Toronto: India' s leading squash player Dipika Pallikal started off on a strong note in the Granite Open, beating Egyptian qualifier Nouran El Torky 3-1 in the first round of the USD 25,000 PSA world tour event here.

Dipika Pallikal

The Indian won 11-4, 9-11, 11-2, 11-7 in a match played Tuesday night. Playing an Egyptian is always tricky and 17th-ranked Dipika realised it too as she played a tight game to keep down the enthusiasm of the world number 61. Despite the disparity in the rankings, Nouran put up a good fight.

After Dipika comfortably had the first game, the Egyptian clawed back with an early lead to grab the second. With some great shots and perfect control of the proceedings, last year's runner-up did not allow the advantage to leave her grip from there.

There were lots of 'let' calls as the match wore on but the Indian showed her prowess in the front court to finish off the match in style.

In the quarterfinals, Dipika plays another Egyptian Salma Hany Ibrahim, who is seeded fifth.

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