Dipika Pallikal stumbled on the final hurdle against Egyptian teenager Nour El Sherbini in the title clash of the Women’s Champion Texas Open here on Monday.
Eyeing maiden major title of her career, world No 12 Dipika faltered against the 18-year-old qualifier 7-11, 11-5, 7-11 to lose in 48 minutes.
The 22-year-old Dipika was celebrating the biggest Tour final of her career -- while world junior champion El Sherbini was continuing the form of her life which had seen the youngster reach last month’s WSA World Championship final after upsetting world No 1 Nicol David.
The Chennai girl had earlier packed off eighth-ranked Madeline Perry in the semifinal but failed against the 13th-ranked Egyptian.
Sensational week
The match brought to a climax a sensational week for El Sherbini of Alexandria, who removed three seeds -- including Malaysia’s event favourite and World No 7 Low Wee Wern -- en-route to the final of the WSA Gold 50 event at The Downtown Club at the Met.
El Sherbini was quick share her joy with her Facebook fans.