Toronto, Feb 19 (IANS) India’s top two players, Dipika Pallikal and Joshna Chinnappa, will clash in the semifinals of the Women’s Granite Open squash tournament after scoring contrasting victories here Wednesday.
Third seeded Dipika was fully stretched by England’s experienced Jenny Duncalf before beating the No.5 seed 11-8, 9-11, 11-6, 7-11, 13-11 in 75 minutes.
Seventh seeded Joshna produced the unexpected clash after upsetting second-seeded Australian Rachael Grinham 11-1, 11-8, 11-6 in 23 minutes.
Rachael, the former World No.1 and World champion from Queensland was taken to five games in the opening round, just hours after landing here after a flight from Australia and was clearly now feeling the effects.
“Playing Rachael is always hard,” said Joshna, the World No.21 from Chennai. I felt that she didn’t play her usual game today. I am quite glad to have won in three.”
Joshna will now do battle with compatriot Dipika with whom she made history last year by winning India’s first squash gold medal in the Commonwealth Games with a sensational and unexpected triumph in the women’s doubles in Glasgow.
“Really happy to win. Jen played really well today. I knew I had to stick in there and play the rallies out,” said a delighted 23-year-old Dipika.
“When I was match ball (point) down, I told myself to play the rallies out and stay in there for as long as it takes. And that really helped.”
The results:
Quarter-finals: 1-Amanda Sobhy (USA) bt Delia Arnold (MAS) 11-6, 11-3, 11-8 (25 minutes); 4-Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) btALine Hansen (DEN) 11-5, 12-10, 9-11, 11-5 (45m); 3-Dipika Pallikal (IND) bt 5-Jenny Duncalf (ENG) 11-8, 9-11, 11-6, 7-11, 13-11 (75m); 7-Joshna Chinappa (IND) bt 2-Rachael Grinham (AUS) 11-1, 11-8, 11-6 (23m).