Wadi Degla Open: Dipika loses to qualifier Mariam in first round

Qualifier Mariam Metwally upset Dipika Pallikal 5-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-8 in the opening round of the Wadi Degla Open.

Dipika, who is ranked 19 in the PSA list, was surprised by the determined approach of the Egyptian player, ranked 31.

India's Dipika Pallikal Karthik went down from virtually a winning position to qualifier Mariam Metwally of Egypt in the first round of the Wadi Degla Open in Cairo on Monday.

During a PSA World Tour event being held alongside the men's world championship, the Egyptian won 5-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-8 in a dramatic turnaround.

The seventh seeded Indian, who is ranked 19 in the PSA list, was surprised by the determined approach of the Egyptian player, ranked 31.

With a two-game lead, Dipika seemed well on course for a win but the Egyptian made the best of the situation to carve out the win in just under an hour.

With Dipika's exit, the Indian campaign ended as she was the only Indian player to feature in the Wadi Degla PSA tournament in Cairo.