Birthday boost as Nour El Sherbini returns to number one
By SEAN REUTHE – Squash Mad Correspondent
Egypt’s Nour El Sherbini has today gone back to the summit of the PSA Women’s World Rankings for the first time since November 2018 following her final victory over previous World No.1 Nouran Gohar at the CIB Egyptian Open two weeks ago in front of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
With 32 months spent at World No.1, El Sherbini, who is 25 today, is the fifth-longest reigning World No.1 in the history of the women’s game, behind only Nicol David, Susan Devoy, Michelle Martin and Sarah-Fitz Gerald.
After falling to El Sherbini in the Egyptian Open title decider, Gohar has seen her four-month reign at World No.1 come to an end. She is joined in the top five by Nour El Tayeb, who moves up a space to overtake France’s Camille Serme, while 20-year-old Hania El Hammamy moves into the top five for the first time in her career.
England’s Sarah-Jane Perry drops out of the top five to No.6 and sits ahead of USA’s Amanda Sobhy at No.7. New Zealand’s Joelle King, Wales’ Tesni Evans and Egypt’s Salma Hany complete the top 10.
India’s Joshna Chinappa remains at No.11, while Belgium’s Nele Gilis moves up to a career-high No.12 ranking following her quarter-final finish at the Egyptian Open. USA’s Olivia Clyne drops to No.13, with Egypt’s Rowan Elaraby rising two spots to a career-high No.14 ranking.
Yathreb Adel falls two places to No.15, while England’s Alison Waters drops a spot to No.16. Nadine Shahin, Tinne Gilis and Nada Abbas stay at No.17, No.18, and No.19, respectively.
The final spot in the top 20 is taken by Canada’s Hollie Naughton, who rises two places to reach a career-high ranking.
Soutb Africa’s Teagan Leigh Roux has enjoyed the biggest movement on the women’s tour, rising 81 places to World No.227. She is followed by Egypt’s Amira Elrefaey, who has gone up 37 spots to No.252.
PSA Women’s World Rankings Top 20 – November 2020.
Picture and graphic courtesy of PSA