New Delhi:
Dipika Pallikal equalled the highest ranking ever achieved by an Indian women squash player when she obtained a career-best 27th rank in the Womens International Squash Players Association (WISPA) charts.
The 19-year-old from Chennai whose previous position was 29th, equalled the feat of former player Misha Grewal, after a quarterfinal finish in the WISPA Punj Lloyd Masters here last month.
Dipika, who trains in Leeds and Egypt, would be aiming to break into the top-20 this year.
The Chennai-based player finished 2010 at a commendable 29th after starting the year as number 46.
"I will look to crack into the top 20 next year and for that I need to get more fitter and better. It's been a long season for me before the two-and-a-half week long break. I am happy with last year's performance," said Dipika.
Another Indian, Joshna Chinappa, was 35th in the list.
Pallikal had won her maiden WISPA title in the Indian Challenger in April, before winning the Nepal Open in November.