Raneem El Welily climbs high to give Egypt top three spots
By SEAN REUTHE
Egypt has become the first country in 20 years to hold all three top spots on the PSA Women’s World Rankings after Raneem El Welily joined compatriots Nour El Sherbini and Nouran Gohar inside the world’s top three in the December Rankings, emulating the feats of Australia in the 1990s.
El Welily, who topped the World Rankings between September and December in 2015, defeated Gohar in the final of last month’s Wadi Degla Open (right) to take the title in front of her home fans and move up two places to No.2, leapfrogging Gohar in the process.
In doing so, the triumvirate have joined Australian trio Michelle Martin, Sarah Fitz-Gerald and Liz Irving, who took the top three places in the July 1996 World Rankings, in the history books.
They are joined by Omneya Abdel Kawy (No.8) in a top 10 that features a four-strong Egyptian contingent, while England’s Laura Massaro falls to No.4, one place ahead of Frenchwoman Camille Serme at No.5.
Malaysia’s eight-time World Champion Nicol David has fallen to No.6, her lowest ranking since December 2004.
The charismatic American Amanda Sobhy, England’s Alison Waters and New Zealand’s Joelle King capping the top 10 at No.7, No.9 and No.10, respectively.
Elsewhere in the top 20, Sarah-Jane Perry returns to a career-high No.11 position, while Nour El Tayeb, Joey Chan and Heba El Torky all enjoyed respective rises to No.15, No.18 and No.19.
Meanwhile, former World No.2 Jenny Duncalf drops out of the top 20, falling four places to No.22, which is her lowest ranking since 2003. She sits behind Donna Urquhart at No.20 and Tesni Evans of Wales, whose semi-final finish at the Wadi Degla Open has elevated her to within one place of the top 20.
PSA Women’s World Rankings Top 20 – December 2016
Pictures and graphic courtesy of PSA