Last year’s finalist and India’s leading player Dipika Pallikal started off on a strong note with a 3-1 win over Egyptian qualifier Nouran El Torky in the first round of the Granite Open, a $25,000 PSA world tour event in Toronto, Canada late on Tuesday. The Indian won 11-4,9-11, 11-2, 11-7.
Playing an Egyptian is always tricky and second-seeded Pallikal, ranked 17 in the world, realized it too as she played a tight game to keep down the enthusiasm of the World ranked 61 player. Despite the disparity in the rankings, Nouran put up a good fight.
After Pallikal comfortably had the first game, the Egyptian clawed back with an early lead to grab the second. With some great shots and perfect control of the proceedings, Dipika did not allow the advantage to leave her grip from there. There were lots of ‘let’ calls as the match wore on but the Indian showed her prowess in the front court to finish off the match in style.
She will next play the quarter-final round against Salma Hany Ibrahim, again of Egypt and seeded fifth.
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