India's Dipika Pallikal Karthik was defeated by Malaysia's Nicol David in semi-final competition in the 2017 Oracle NetSuite Open Squash Championships held in San Francisco.
India’s Dipika Pallikal Karthik was defeated by Malaysia’s Nicol David in semi-final competition in the 2017 Oracle NetSuite Open Squash Championships held in San Francisco.
SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — Featuring the highest-caliber professional men’s and women’s squash athletes ever hosted in the San Francisco Bay Area, the 2017 Oracle NetSuite Open Squash Championships were recently held at Justin Herman Plaza on the Embarcadero.
India’s Dipika Pallikal Karthik was defeated by Malaysia’s Nicol David in semi-final competition. David is lauded as the sport’s most decorated female with eight world championship titles.
“Long-time fans will get an opportunity to see the top squash players compete at the highest level, while we continue to raise awareness of the game of squash and the importance of academics throughout local schools,” said Evan Goldberg, Executive Vice President of Development for Oracle NetSuite.
Among those competing in the event included France’s Gregory Gaultier of France, the current world No. 1 and three-time Oracle NetSuite Open champion and England’s Laura Massaro, a former world No. 1.
Reigning men’s world champion and world No. 2, Karim Abdel Gawad of Egypy and two men’s former world No. 1 competitors Nick Matthew and Mohamed Elshorbagy also competed. Elshorbagy held the world No. 1 ranking from 2015-2017.
“It is a terrific testament to the city, the tournament and the local community that the Oracle NetSuite Open gets a better draw every year,” said tournament promoter John Nimick of Squash Engine.
In addition to attracting the World’s best players, the event benefits the local community through its official charity, SquashDrive, a National Urban Squash and Education Association program. According to the non-profit’s website, “SquashDrive is an intensive after school, weekend and summer program that uses the unique combination of squash instruction, academic tutoring and community service to help Bay Area public school students reach their full potential.”
Last year, the Oracle NetSuite Open helped SquashDrive reach its $50,000 fundraising goal during the tournament to launch a new College Prep program.
The event also hosted the Latitude 38 Group Open Singles adult tournament and Oracle NetSuite US Squash Junior Gold tournament.
Robert Haugh, a Bay Area based journalist who has been covering news, elections, arts & entertainment, professional sports, community events and crime for 18 years.
