Dipika loses in semis of Australian Open squash

After becoming the first Indian to reach the semi-final of a Gold Series event, Dipika Pallikal lost out to England's World No.4 Laura Massaro in five games in the Australian Squash Open in Canberra on Saturday.

After becoming the first Indian to reach the semi-final of a Gold Series event, Dipika Pallikal lost out to England's World No.4 Laura Massaro in five games in the Australian Squash Open in Canberra on Saturday.

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In one of the longest matches of the tournament, being played at the National Convention Centre, Dipika started slow losing the first game 7-11. She went on to win the second and fourth games 11-7 and 11-3.

However, in the decider, Dipika and Laura were neck-and-neck but the more experienced Laura eventually pulled away and won the game and match 11-7, 7-11, 13-11, 3-11, 11-9.

Following the 20-year-old's performance in the quarter-final against 19-year-old Amanda Sobhy of the US, where she stamped her authority with a 11-5, 11-7, 12-10 win, Dipika looked in a winning form througout the closely fought semi-final, making Laura fight for every point.