Squash players Dipika Pallikal, Joshna Chinappa enter quarters in Hong Kong

HONG KONG: India's leading squash players Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal won their opening round matches to reach the quarterfinals of the PSA HKFC International here today.

Joshna, India's highest ranked player at 13, beat Egyptian qualifier Salma Hany 11-8, 11-7, 6-11, 11-8 in a match lasting 37 minutes.

Later in the day, World No.19 Dipika dispatched Malaysian qualifier Low Wee Wern 11-1, 11-3, 11-3 in 23 minutes to advance to the last eight. Low, a former World No.5, has dropped to 33 in the rankings.

Third seed Joshna faces seventh seed Rachael Grinham of Australia in the quarters while sixth seed Dipika awaits the winner of the match between top seed Joelle King and local hope Joey Chan.