NEW DELHI: Squash player Dipika Pallikal has climbed to 24 in the world rankings to become the highest-ranked Indian women in the sport.

Dipika equalled former player Misha Grewal's feat last month by reaching the 27th position.

The 19-year-old's rise in the rankings can be attributed to her last 16 finish at the Harrow Greenwich Open in January.

She defeated compatriot and friend Joshna Chinappa in the qualifiers before losing to Egyptian Raneem El Weleily.

The Chennai-based player turned professional in 2006 and has taken rapid strides in the rankings since last year.

She started in 2010 as 46 and ended at a commendable 29 with the help of two WISPA titles.

Her maiden victory came in the Indian Challenger event in April followed by the Nepal Open in November.

"My aim is to break into the top 10 by the end of this year. I have been training hard to achieve that," said Dipika.

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