Dipika Pallikal could not better the colour of her assured bronze, as she lost to World No 1 Nicol Ann David in the women's singles squash semi-finals at the 17th Asian Games, in Incheon, on Monday.
Complete coverage: 2014 Asian Games
The 23-year-old Indian was outplayed 4-11, 4-11, 5-11 as David took just 25 minutes to storm into the final.
The top-seeded Malaysian came into the semi-final as the overwhelming favourite, having not lost a singles match since the sport was introduced in the 1998 Bangkok Games.
David was in top form from the word go and hardly gave a chance to Pallikal, who played a draining quarter-final against compatriot Joshana Chinappa on Sunday.
India’s top seed Saurav Ghosal confirmed his third successive podium finish in men's singles squash after reaching the final.
The 28-year-old Asia No 1 beat the 2006 champion Ong Beng Hee of Malaysia 11-9, 11-4, 11-5 at the Yeorumul Squash Courts.
In the semi-finals, Ghosal defeated Pakistan's Iqbal Nasir 11-6, 9-11, 11-2, 11-9 in 58 minutes.
He took control of the proceedings quite early and, but for a minor slip, was clinical.
India had won three medals, all bronze, in the four categories at Guangzhou 2010; this time they look good for medals in all four categories, including team.
They have so far won four medals (all bronze) at the Asian Games since 1998. Two came courtesy men's singles player Saurav Ghosal and the rest in the men's and women's team event.
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