Pallikal Qualifies Into US Open After Becoming
First Indian Woman To Break Top-20
from DailySquashReport.com
top photos courtesy Steve Cubbins
Ocotber 2, 2011 - 20-year-old Dipika Pallikal of India overcame Malaysia’s Low Wee Wern yesterday in a marathon (by WISPA standards) four-gamer to advance to the main draw of the 2011 Philadelphia US Open.
The final tally was: 11/9, 13/11, 15/17, 11/8 in 73 minutes.
It had been announced before her match that Pallikal had reached #20 in the world (from her former #24) in the newest WISPA standings, reportedly making her the first Indian woman to crack the top twenty of the professional rankings.
“In the third all I was thinking about was that I’d been match ball up against Wee Wern twice before and lost,” Dipika told usopensquash.com. “Once I lost that game I just wanted to try to keep the ball in play in the fourth. I think I played well to come back in that game and take it.
“I’m getting a real taste of the senior game now, and really enjoying it. Working with Sarah Fitz in Melbourne has brought my game on a lot, she’s helped me change my game and I’m much more confident about taking on the top players.
“It feels great to be in the main draw of one of the world’s leading events. I don’t mind who I draw, as long as I play well … and win of course!”
Pallikal has enjoyed a strong late-summer run on the WISPA tour in the United States. Last month she won the Orange County Open in southern California, and followed it up with two hard-nosed qualifying wins in the $50,000 Weymuller Open in New York, including a four-gamer over Amanda Sobhy to propel her into the main draw.
Dipika faces 6th-seeded Kasey Brown of Australia today at 2pm EST at Drexel.
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