Dessouky back in top 10 as Rösner’s retirement results in rankings reshuffle
By ALAN THATCHER – Squash Mad Editor
The latest PSA men’s world ranking list has a strange look, with Simon Rösner’s retirement depleting the European presence in the top 20.
Joel Makin (Wales) is the highest-ranked European player at No.9, accompanied by Gregoire Marche (France) at 15, with England pair James Willstrop and Adrian Waller at 17 and 19 respectively.
In a list dominated as always by Egyptians, Fares Dessouky will feature in the top 10 for the first time since November 2017 after the 26-year-old moved up three places to No.8 in the January rankings, released today (January 1).
Dessouky ended 2020 by coming back from two games down against World No.1 Ali Farag to capture the CIB Black Ball Squash Open title last month, the biggest triumph of his career.
Farag begins 2021 at World No.1, just as he did in 2020, and he is followed by Mohamed ElShorbagy, Tarek Momen, Paul Coll (New Zealand) and Karim Abdel Gawad in the top five.
Marwan ElShorbagy (No.6), Diego Elias (No.7), Makin (No.9) and Miguel Rodriguez all retain their places inside the top 10.
As a result of Rösner’s retirement, several players have enjoyed a one-place increase to their World Ranking. Mohamed Abouelghar rises to No.11, while World Junior Champion Mostafa Asal enjoys a two-place increase to a career-high No.12.
Saurav Ghosal stays at No.13, while the remaining members of the top 20 move up a spot. Rösner’s retirement means Mexicos’ Cesar Salazar returns to the top 20 for the first time since February 2018, with the other places taken up by Mazen Hesham (14), Marche (15), Omar Mosaad (16), Willstrop (17), Zahed Salem (18) and Waller (19).
Kuwait’s Abdullah Al Muzayen is the biggest mover on the men’s tour, rising 195 places to World No.454. Meanwhile, Qatar’s Salem Al Malki enjoyed a 147-place rise to World No.311 after reaching the semi-finals of the QSF 4 last month.
PSA Men’s World Rankings Top 20: January 2021.
Picture and graphic courtesy of PSA