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Dipika's achievement

— PHOTO: PTI

Dipika.

CHENNAI: Dipika Pallikal has been going places. After the Nepal Open triumph in November, she made it to the quarterfinals of the WISPA Punj Lloyd Masters tournament in New Delhi recently.

Thanks to her performances, Dipika has achieved a career-best WISPA ranking of 27. She has also equalled the highest-ever ranking achieved by an Indian woman, namely that of former National champion Misha Grewal.

The yet-to-be 20 from Chennai was earlier 29th in the rankings. Dipika, who trains in England (Leeds) and Egypt, has age on her side as she looks ahead to the new year. Considering that her ranking at the start of 2010 was 46, it has been a remarkable jump. Her close Indian rival, Joshna Chinappa, is at 35.

“Playing well and beating some good players were the key reasons for the rise,” said Dipika. The two big wins last year — Indian Challenger and WISPA title in Nepal — made a big difference, she added.

Dipika, who turned professional in 2006, is looking forward to playing in two tournaments in New York and Chicago soon. “I have not given a thought beyond that for now,” she said. — Special Correspondent

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