Squash: Dipika leads way into semis

Dipika Pallikal proved her class by easing into the semi-finals with a quick win over France's Chloe Mesic 11-3,11-2,11-4 in 22 minutes in the JSW Indian Squash Challenger tournament here Friday.

Dipika will now face Jaipur finalist, South Africa's Cheyna Tucker who defeated India's Sachika Ingale 11-5,13-11, 11-7 also in 22 minutes.

Joining them in the semi-finals was France's Laura Pomportes who defeated Pakistan's Sammer Anjum 11-7,11-9,11-5 and Nouran El Torky from Egypt who breezed past Birgit Coufal of Austria 11-9, 7-11, 11-8, 12-10.

In the men's draw, Asian Games gold medalist Harinder Pal Sandhu saved his spot in the semifinals after a win over lower-ranked Ravi Dixit 11-4,11-6,11-4, and will now face Egypt's unseeded Karim El Hammamy who surprised third seed Matias Tuomi of Finland 11-7, 11-9, 11-9.

Also advancing to the semi-finals was fourth seed Shehab Essam Hosny of Egypt who defeated Sanjay Singh from Malaysia 8-11,11-1,11-6, 9-11, 11-7) while Ammar Altamimi of Kuwait completed the line-up after his opponent Kush Kumar retired in the fifth game.