Incheon, Sep 20 (IANS): Dipika Pallikal and Joshna Chinappa won their respective opening round matches of the singles event and will face each other in the quarterfinals, thereby, assuring India of a maiden medal in the women's event at the Yeorumul Squash Courts in the 17th Asian Games here Saturday.

The Commonwealth doubles gold medalists Dipika and Joshna beat their first round opponents Gu Jinyue (China) and Song Sunmi (Korea) respectively.

World No.21 Chinappa defeated 183rd ranked Song Sunmi 11-9 11-7 11-7 while World No.12 Pallikal beat 150th ranked Jinyue Gu 11-6 10-12 11-6 11-4.

Both of them the will now face each other in the quarterfinal Sunday with the winner assured of at least a bronze medal.

In the men's event, top seeded Indian Saurav Ghosal prevailed over Jordan's Alsaraj Ahmad Khaleel Ahmad 11-2, 11-4, 11-3 to enter quarterfinals of the singles event.

However, the sole disappointment for India came through Harinder Pal Sandhu who lost to higher ranked Abdullah Al Muzayen of Kuwait 4-11, 6-11, 2-11 in straight games in the pre-quarterfinal round.