India's top squash player Dipika Pallikal warmed up for the World Doubles Championship, which begins in Darwin on Monday, by winning the PSA Australian Open in Melbourne on Friday. Top seed Pallikal beat eighth seed Mayar Hany of Egypt 10-12, 11-5, 11-6, 11-4 in the 40-minute final for her first title of the year.
Dipika Pallikal assured India of a maiden women's singles squash medal in the Asian Games, while top seed Saurav Ghosal confirmed his third successive podium finish in men's singles after the two reached the semi-finals of their respective events in Incheon on Sunday.
Top seed Dipika Pallikal entered the finals of the Australian Open squash event, a PSA world tour event, after posting a 6-11 11-6 11-7 11-4 win over Hana Ramadan of Egypt. Dipika, who recently finished runner-up in the Victoria Open a few days ago, faced an initial scare from the Egyptian qualifier before she managed to grab an opportunity and turn the tables around in her favour.
The Indian squash contingent on Thursday assured its best ever showing at the Asian Games in Incheon by reaching the men's and women's team semi-finals, ensuring it returns home with medals in all four categories on offer.
A round-up of Indians' showing on the fifth day of the 17th Asian Games, in Incheon, on Wednesday.