Chennai, Aug 1 (Inditop.com) Top seed Dipika Pallikal of India crashed out of the girls singles in the junior World Squash Championships, losing to Egypt’s fourth seeded Nour El Tayeb in four games in the semi-finals here Saturday.
Tayeb will take on compatriot Nour El Sharbini, the 13-year old sensation and seeded 15th, who brushed aside Pakistan’s Maria Toor Pakay, the eighth seed, in straight games in just 20 minutes in the second semi-final.
The men’s final pits Egypt’s top seed and defending champion Mohamed El Shorbagy, a comfortable 3-0 winner over compatriot Andrew Wagih, the fourth seed, and No.2 Ivan Yuen of Malaysia who eliminated Pakistani Aurangzeb Mehmud
Dipika, the 17-year old from Chennai, who was hoping to at least match Joshna Chinappa’s 2005 feat of reaching the final, lacked the extra edge to get past the Egyptian, who showed greater commitment.
Dipika seemed rather anxious and nervous at the outset. Her movements were ponderous and she was often caught flatfooted by the crafty Tayeb who came up with some delectable drops.
Consequently, Tayeb raced away in the first game before Dipika fought her way back into the match by taking the second game.
The Indian played with greater confidence and once she got into her groove with a series of forehand winners, the contest appeared even.
However, in the next two games, it was Tayeb who controlled the flow from the midcourt to keep Dipika under pressure. Though the local girl was within striking distance at all times, Tayeb looked the better player with her all-round game marked by diving retrievals as she literally threw herself about on the court.
With Dipika increasingly getting distracted by several refereree’s decisions, Nour seized her chances and emerged a deserving winner.
“I am speechless and I can’t believe that I won in India and that too against Dipika. I have not played her before, but my plan was to stay away from her strong forehand,” said Nour after the 33-minute match.
The other semi-final was rather tame with Sharbini proving far too quick for the rotund Pakistani girl who just could not match the sharp Egyptian’s speed and shot variations.
Sharbini, who had upset second seed and compatriot Heba El Torky last night, seemed to be improving with every outing. She was confidence personified and her movements were especially swift and elegant.
Shorbagy showed definite signs of hitting top form and carried far too much ammunition for Wagih. Yet, the title favourite said he was not very pleased with his overall performance, but was working hard on his game.
In the other semi-final, Yuen was steady if not spectacular against Mehmud who, as in the previous matches, was far too defensive to trouble the Malaysian.
Having played two marathon matches in the earlier two rounds, Mehmud appeared a bit flat even as Yuen stepped up the pace as the match progressed and had lot to spare at the finish.
The results (all semi-finals):
Boys singles: 1-Mohammed El Shorbagy (EGY) beat 4-Andrew Wagih (EGY) 11-7, 11-9, 11-6 (37m); 2-Ivan Yuen (MAS) beat Aurrangzeb Mehmud (PAK) 11-6, 11-9, 11-3 (39m)
Girls singles: 4-Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bt Dipika Pallikal (IND) 11-6, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7 (33m); 16-Nour El Sharbini (EGY) beat 8-Maria Toor Pakay (PAK) 11-8, 11-6, 11-6 (20m).