World C’ships: Dipika clinches double on comeback

GLASGOW: Dipika, playing her first competitive event since October 2018, bagged the mixed doubles crown alongside Ghosal after a 11-6, 11-8 win over England’s Adrian Waller and Alison Waters.

Later, Dipika and Joshna triumphed in the women’s doubles final after a hard fought 11-9, 4-11, 11-8 victory over the English combination of Sarah Jane Perry and Waters.

“I am just happy to be back on court. I trained really hard [for the comeback]. I was quite edgy at the start of the tournament, but got better as I played more matches. It was a good preparation for the Commonwealth Games (in Birmingham), where winning is our main target. The competitions (Doubles Championships and CWG) are more or less the same. We know where we need to improve,” Dipika told PTI.

Dipika had begun training at the Indian Squash Academy in Chennai in December 2021 along with her brother-in-law Ghosal and Joshna. “To be honest, it is a relief that I can still perform. Training is one thing, but to be able to deliver in a match is another. I never thought that we would get this result in my first event in three years. I am so glad that we were able to tick all the boxes,” Dipika went on to add.

Barring Egyptians, top players from other nations took part in the Championships. On her part, Joshna said: “The job gets easier when you have a strong partner like Dipika. We have got a lot of confidence from this result, but we need to work harder.”