Joshna prevails over Dipika

However, citing an ankle strain and keen to give that area a rest before the tough international season ahead, Dipika withdrew and a squash feast was denied to the aficionados of the sport in the capital. But what was missed in New Delhi was served soonafter in distant Shanghai in the China Open, a PSA World tour major event in the final round of the qualifying phase!

Good friends but great rivals the two found themselves face to face on Wednesday, thanks to the draw, and expectedly the meeting must have produced a rousing contest if the scoreline was anything to suggest. 

The match went five games and like in the Mumbai National in 2016 where Dipika outdid Joshna here too she started off well, grabbing the first game but Joshna bounced back to take the next two. Dipika made it four games all to queer the pitch but finally it was Joshna who won 7-11, 11-5, 11-6, 7-11, 11-8.