Egyptian Ali Farag has been confirmed as the new world squash No.1 after a stellar period of form on the men’s tour which saw him rack up 20 successive wins in winning the El Gouna title at the weekend.
Meanhile, Nouran Gohar has reclaimed the women’s World No.1 ranking following her El Gouna International title success.
Farag returns to the summit of the PSA Men’s World Rankings for the first time since January. The 31-year old lost top spot to Mostafa Asal at the beginning of this year in part due to a four-month injury layoff because of a knee problem.
However, he has enjoyed a sensational run of recent form which has seen him win four tournaments on the bounce – the British Open, PSA World Championships, Manchester Open and the El Gouna International. His victory over Asal in the El Gouna title decider on Friday guaranteed that he would return to World No.1 for the fifth time in his career.
Farag will now celebrate a 161st week atop the rankings, replacing Peru’s Diego Elias. England’s Mohamed ElShorbagy moves up a spot to No.3, with Asal dropping down two places to No.4. New Zealand’s Paul Coll completes the top five.
Elsewhere, Victor Crouin, Mazen Hesham, and Iker Pajares Bernabeu are all on the rise as they secure joint highest rankings of No.7, No.8 and No.20, respectively.
Gohar returns to World No.1 for the first time since last month after she beat Belgium’s Nele Gilis to win the El Gouna crown after three previous final defeats. It is the third time Gohar has taken the top ranking and this week will be her 75th at World No.1.
“It’s the first time after winning a tournament, so it feels amazing,” said Gohar speaking after her El Gouna win.
“With the new weekly ranking system, it’s so nice, you win a tournament on Friday and on Monday you’re World No.1. I don’t like the World No.2 spot beside my name, so I’m happy to be back.”
Previous incumbent Nour El Sherbini falls to No.2 after a shock semi-final defeat to Gilis, while Hania El Hammamy, Joelle King and Amanda Sobhy round off the top five.
Gilis’s first PSA World Tour Platinum final has rewarded her with the No.7 position, making her the joint highest ranked Belgian of all time, level with Stefan Casteleyn, who reached No.7 of the men’s rankings in 1999. Gilis remains the highest ranked female Belgian of all time.