Dipika Pallikal makes biggest final of her career

Pallikal goes into the title clash at the back of two matches lasting five games with the semifinal against Perry stretching to 75 minutes. “It was another hard match. I knew she was going to come hard at me and was playing well of late. I was able to stick to my game plan,” Pallikal said.

Pallikal is aware of what stands between her and the biggest prize of her career. “Facing Sherbini will be harder. She is going to be very confident. I am hoping I pull one out of the bag. I have had a good tournament anyway and will try my best to end it on a high,” she said referring to her 18-year-old opponent. Pallikal added that it was “great” to have as coach five-time world champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald.

In the other semifinal, the girl from Alexandria maintained the magnificent form she showed in the World Championship. In her fifth meeting with third seed Camille Serme, El Sherbini defeated the World No.6 from France 11-5, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6 in 55 minutes to move into her seventh tour final.The final will mark the third meeting between Pallikal and El Sherbini since June 2010 with the Indian looking for her maiden win.