India’s Pallikal Bests Sobhy In Final Round Of Weymuller Qualifying
from DailySquashReport.com
Dipika PallikalSeptember 22, 2011 - Indian #1 Dipika Pallikal continued her successful US September tournament run last night on her 20th birthday by knocking off American hope Amanda Sobhy, 10-12 11-6 11-5 12-10, to gain a coveted spot in the $50,000 Carol Weymuller Open main draw.
Pallikal, the world #24, and Sobhy, at #20, had never met in a WISPA event. The Indian appeared to slow down play and gain confidence after losing an overtime first game.
Pallikal swept through the WISPA Orange County Open in California earlier this month without dropping a game.
She will face world #4 Madeline Perry of Ireland at 5:30 pm EST in tonight’s round-of-16.
No Americans are left in the draw.
Linda Elriani Filed This Report On The Final Round Of Qualifying:
Tonight was the last evening of the qualification at the 2011 Carol Weymuller Open. It’s always an exciting round as it really is all or nothing…main draw or out! The qualifying event is the strongest we’ve ever had with all the players in the finals of the qualifying being ranked #26 in the world or above. The matches were exciting and a fantastic display of how athletic and skilled the top women squash players are.
The first match on tonight was between World # 23 Delia Arnold from Malaysia and World #20 Samantha Teran from Mexico. This match started off with very long and hard fought rallies with Samantha just sneaking the 1st game 14/12. This game seemed to be the deciding game of the match as after that Samantha took more control and got in front of Delia and won the next two 11/8, 11/5. Samantha said after the match “I feel good as it’s always hard to play in qualifying rounds. I’m really happy to get in the main draw as I knew it would be a hard game. It was important to win the 1st game, it gave me confidence. It didn’t feel like it was 3-0 it was a long match. I don’t mind who I play in the 1st round of the main draw, I’m just happy that I’m in!” Samantha now plays Camille Serme from France in the main draw.
Second on was Joey Chan from Hong Kong and world # 22 against English women and world # 19 Sarah Kippax. Sarah started off the match playing the perfect game plan and won the first in a convincing 11/5. Joey came out with a totally different plan for the next 2 as she managed to change up the pace and get in front of Sarah, who lost her great length that she had in the 1st game. Joey won the 2nd and 3rd 11/3, 11/2. The 4th game was closer with some tough rallies and exchanges through to 4-4 and then Joey found her length again and Sarah couldn’t take back the control enough. Joey won the 4th 11/6. Joey said after her match “Sarah’s a fast pace player and I tried to vary the pace and get her deep and cut it off. I wanted to attack her short before she could attack me short. I tried to play her on her back hand too. I ‘m very happy to be through to the main draw and to also get my first win over Sarah”. Joey now plays Kasey Brown from Australia tomorrow.
Next on was USA’s budding young star Amanda Sobhy and already world # 21 playing India’s favorite squash player and model Dipika Pallikal who is currently world #23. This match was very entertaining with some fast pace rallies, early volleying and great winning shots. Amanda came out on fire and very quickly took a 5-0 lead. Dipika dug in and eventually only lost the 1st game 12/10. As the match progressed Dipika managed to slow Amanda down with some accurate lobs and break her rhythm and Amanda made some unforced errors at important points of the match. Birthday girl Dipika managed to give herself the best 20th birthday present by qualifying for the main draw beating Amanda 10/12, 11/6, 11/5, 12/10. Dipika said afterwards “I’m very satisfied to be through. I’ve never played Amanda in a WISPA event, but I’ve seen her play a lot. I wanted to keep her deep and then float it and vary the pace. I surprised myself with some of my lobs!!! I really wanted to qualify especially on my birthday!”. Dipika plays Madeline Perry from Ireland and world #3.
Our last match of the evening was between Low Wee Wern who is the #1 qualifier and world #17 from Malaysia against Emma Beddoes from England and currently ranked world #26. This was by far the longest match of the evening with Emma and Low battling away for an impressive 1hour 45mins. The match was so grueling that in the fifth game Low started to cramp up in her legs and Emma, though clearly sympathetic to her opponents ailments, took advantage of the situation and moved her around the court skillfully. Emma got her own back on Low from their previous meeting which was the reserve result and an equally long and tiring match. Emma said “It’s always hard against Low, if you don’t stick it on the wall or in the nick it comes back! I’m obviously really pleased to win especially as I had a tough loss against her in Malaysia last time. I haven’t played Annie Au in a couple of years so I’m looking forward to it”.
Final Qualifying - $50k Carol Weymuller Open, Brooklyn, New York
Samantha Teran beat Delia Arnold 14/12, 11/8, 11/5.
Joey Chan beat Sarah Kippax 5/11, 11/3, 11/2, 11/6.
Dipika Pallikal beat Amanda Sobhy 10/12, 11/6, 11/5, 12/10.
Emma Beddoes beat Low Wee Wern 11/3, 9/11, 6/11, 11/8, 11/3.
Tonight's Round-Of-16 Lineup
5.30pm Madeline Perry IRL V Dipika Pallikal IND
5.30pm Annie Au HKG V Emma Beddoes ENG
6.15pm Laura Massaro ENG V Raneem El Weleily EGY
6.15pm Camille Serme FRA V Samantha Teran MEX
7.00pm Kasey Brown AUS V Joey Chan HKG
7.00pm Rachael Grinham AUS V Donna Urquhart AUS
7.45pm Omneya Abdel Kawy EGY V Joelle King NZL
7.45pm Jenny Duncalf ENG V Jaclyn Hawkes NZL
Joey Chan
Samantha TeranBack To Main
