Tayeb will take on compatriot Nour El Sharbini, the 13-year old sensation who is seeded 15th. Nour brushed aside Pakistan’s Maria Toor Pakay, the eighth seed, in straight games in just 20 minutes in the second semifinal.
The men’s final pits Egypt’s top seed and defending champion Mohamed El Shorbagy, a comfortable 3-0 winner over compatriot Andrew Wagih, against number two Ivan Yuen of Malaysia, who eliminated Pakistani Aurangzeb Mehmud
Dipika seemed rather anxious and nervous at the outset. Her movements were ponderous and she was often caught flat-footed by the crafty Tayeb, who came up with some delectable drops.
Consequently, Tayeb raced away in the first game before Dipika fought her way back into the match by taking the second game. The Indian played with greater confidence and once she got into her groove with a series of forehand winners, the contest appeared even.
However, in the next two games, it was Tayeb who controlled the flow from the mid-court to keep Dipika under pressure. Though the local girl was within striking distance at all times, Tayeb looked the better player with her all-round game marked by diving retrievals as she literally threw herself about on the court.
With Dipika increasingly getting distracted by several refereeing decisions, Nour seized her chances and emerged a deserving winner.
IANS
The results (all semifinals):
Boys singles: 1-Mohammed El Shorbagy (Egy) bt 4-Andrew Wagih (Egy) 11-7, 11-9, 11-6; 2-Ivan Yuen (Mas) bt Aurrangzeb Mehmud (Pak) 11-6, 11-9, 11-3.
Girls singles: 4-Nour El Tayeb (Egy) bt 1-Dipika Pallikal (Ind) 11-6, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7; 16-Nour El Sharbini (Egy) beat 8-Maria Toor Pakay (Pak) 11-8, 11-6, 11-6.
