Melbourne: Top seed Dipika Pallikal entered the finals of the Australian Open squash event, a PSA world tour event, after posting a 6-11 11-6 11-7 11-4 win over Hana Ramadan of Egypt.
Dipika, who recently finished runner-up in the Victoria Open a few days ago, faced an initial scare from the Egyptian qualifier before she managed to grab an opportunity and turn the tables around in her favour.
The Indian girl had a comfortable first round against wild card Jessica Turnbull of Australia, winning 11-1 11-5 11-8 but conceded the opening game to Misaki Kobayashi, the seventh from Japan in the next, which was the quarterfinal round.
But she prevailed 6-11 11-6 11-6 11-6.
Sachika Ingle, was the only other Indian woman player who had taken part in this competition, but she could not cross the qualification stage.
A host of Indians are there in the men’s section, including Harinder Pal Sandhu, who is also featuring in the World Doubles.
Sandhu, seeded six, went past two opponents — Elvinn Keo of Malaysia and Evan Williams of New Zealand in the first two rounds before third seed Abdulla al Tamini of Qatar downed him in the quarterfinals.
Kush Kumar went out retired in the earlier round.
Ravi Dixit showed lot of character in a terrific come from behind win. After emerging strongly from two games down in the first round against Patrick Miescher of Switzerland, Ravi unfortunately exited in the second round after going down to second seed Campbell Grayzon of New Zealand.
The Gulf-based Sandeep Ramachandran, who has been doing a heavy tour of professional tournaments in Australia, fought his way up the qualification phase but lasted just one round in the main draw.
The results:
Harinder Pal Sandhu bt Elvinn Keo (MAS) 11-5, 11-4, 12-10 in 1st rd; bt Evan Williams (NZL) 12-10, 11-5, 11-6 in 2nd rd; lost to Abdulla al Tamini (QAT) 12-10, 8-11, 10-12,7-11 in quarters; Kush Kumar: bt Nathan Turnbull (AUS) 11-7, 4-11, 11-5, 11-8; lost to Joel Makin (WAL) 7-11, 8-11, 1-4 rtd; Ravi Dixit bt Patrick Miescher (SUI) 8-11, 11-13 11-8, 13-11, 12-10; lost to Campbell Grayson (NZL) 11-6, 11-7, 11-5; Sandeep Ramachandan lost to Zac Alexander (AUS) 5-11, 7-11, 7-11.
PTI