Chinappa pips Pallikal to enter main draw of China Open

Shanghai, Aug 30 (PTI) Joshna Chinappa edged out longtime India teammate Dipika Pallikal to make the women's singles main draw of the USD 100,000 PSA China Open here today.

A gruelling battle is expected whenever Chinappa and Pallikal face each other and it was no different this time.

Chinappa, who won her 15th women's singles national title last week, pipped Pallikal 7-11, 11-5, 11-6, 7-11, 11-8 in the final round of qualifying. She had also got the better of Pallikal in the Asian Championships final earlier this year.

Chinappa, the highest ranked Indian at 14, had blanked Duan Si Yu of China in her opening qualifying match yesterday.

World No. 22 Pallikal, too, had started her campaign on a promising note, beating former World No.2 Jenny Duncalf of England in another tough match lasting five games.

Saurav Ghosal, India's number one male player, made the men's singles main draw with a 11-9, 6-11, 11-9, 11-1 win over Omar Abdel Meguid of Egypt