Dipika wins Indian Challenger title

Kolkata: Dipika Pallikal Defeated Emma Beddoes of England 11-9 11-8 9-11 11-6 to win the WISPA Indian Challenger squash tournament at Calcutta Racket Club squash courts here on Saturday.

For Dipika, it was her first WISPA title and seemingly she was ecstatic after the win. “I didn’t have too many expectations before coming here. Nonetheless, it’s truly a wonderful feeling to achieve such a feat,” Dipika told reporters. Cheered on by a huge crowd, Dipika’s drop-shots and slices found the second seeded Beddoes in all sorts of trouble in the match. Trailing 1-5, Dipika fought back strongly with a barrage of backhand winners to wrap up the first set 11-9 in her favour. There was no change in the script in the second set as the 18-year-old continued with her excellent rhythm and raced on to an 8-3 lead. Beddoes did try to pull things back by winning three consecutive points, but Dipika was in no mood to give an inch to her opponent and pocked the second set 11-8. The Indian looked to be heading towards a straight set victory before Beddoes lifted her game and pulled one back by clinching the third set 9-11 before Dipika sealed the encounter in her favour in the next. Meanwhile in the men’s summit clash, Egypt’s Mohamed El Shorbagy prevailed over compatriot Tarek Momen 11-7 3-11 8-11 11-8 11-8 to clinch the title. PTI