Penang (Malaysia), March 20 (IANS): World No. 3 Raneem El Welily proved too good for India’s Dipika Pallikal in the pre-quarters of the Women’s World Squash Championship here Thursday.
The Egyptian took 26 minutes to get past the 11th-ranked Pallikal and reach the last eight of the prestigious event.
The Indian’s coach and five-time World Champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald felt Pallikal gave her best against a superior opponent on the day.
“To be fair to Dipika, she did well. Raneem hit some amazing shots and made some amazing pick-ups. Dipika didn’t do much wrong and Raneem did so much right and was accurate,” the Australian legend, who was with her protege for the crucial tournament, told IANS.
The Egyptian had got the better of Pallikal even in the 2012 edition, winning the pre-quarterfinal then in four games. Pallikal’s best finish at the Worlds came in 2011 when she reached the quarterfinals.
The 2013 World Championship is taking place now as the tournament failed to find hosts and sponsors last year.
Joshana Chinappa, the other Indian in the main draw, had lost in the opening round Tuesday.
