World Doubles c'ship: Joshna-Dipika duo off to a good start

The Indian pair, seeded second, needed just 14 minutes to complete their opening fixture in a three-team Group.

Joshna Chinappa (left) and Dipika Pallikal Karthik won 11-4, 11-5 in the first round.

Second seed pair of Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal Karthik made a good start with an easy 11-4, 11-5 win over the Colombian pair of Pelaez and Tovar in a Group B league here on Tuesday in the WSF-World Doubles squash championship in Manchester.

The Indian pair, seeded second, needed just 14 minutes to complete their opening fixture in this three-team Group.

Later, Joshna teaming up with Vikram Malhotra, in the mixed doubles won the first match 11-5, 11-6 in Group C against Leiper and Hallama of Scotland.

HARINDER'S RANK IMPROVES

Two PSA (Professional Squash Association) titles in July has boosted Harinder Pal Singh to 65th in the world rankings.

Among Indian men, he's ranked third behind Saurav Ghosal (27) and Vikram Malhotra (63), whose rankings remained unchanged from last month. Mahesh Mangaonkar dropped a place to 67th.

However, Joshna remains the highest ranked Indian at 14. Her position has remained unchanged as was Dipika's (22). As for the rest, Sachika Ingale was at 84, Akanksha Saluankhe 129 and Sunayna Kuruvilla 156.