India's top squash players Dipika Pallikal and Joshana Chinappa have advanced to the women's singles quarterfinals at the Granite Open here.
Third seed Pallikal had to dig deep against Tesni Evans of Wales for a 8-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-7 win yesterday. The highest-ranked Indian next plays former world number two Jenny Duncalf of England.
While Pallikal had to work hard in the opening round, compatriot Chinappa took 29 minutes to get past local hope and wildcard Nikki Todd 11-8 11-8 11-6. The world no.21 faces former number one Rachael Grinham in the quarterfinals later today.
In other matches, defending champion and favourite Amanda Sobhy quickly progressed to the quarters, and seeds Nicolette Fernandes and Joey Chan both crashed out of the WSA International 25 squash event, marking its fourth year at the Granite Club here.
Results: 1st round:
[1] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bt [Q] Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL) 12-10, 11-1, 11-2 (22m), Delia Arnold (MAS) bt [6] Nicolette Fernandes (GUY) 10-12, 9-11, 11-4, 11-7, 12-10, [4] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt [Q] Deon Saffery (WAL) 11-13, 11-7, 11-6, 12-10 (55m), Line Hansen (DEN) bt [8] Joey Chan (HKG) 11-9, 11-6, 4-11, 11-8, [5] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) bt [Q] Misaki Kobayashi (JPN) 7-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-7 (44m) [3] Dipika Pallikal (IND) bt Tesni Evans (WAL) 8-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-7 (60m), [7] Joshana Chinappa (IND) bt [WC] Nikki Todd (CAN), 11-8, 11-8, 11-6 (29m), [2] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [Q] Samantha Cornett (CAN) 9-11, 11-13, 13-11, 11-6, 11-6 (55m).
