Nour El Sherbini stays top for 22nd month
By ELLIE MAWSON
Egypt’s Nour El Tayeb has moved into the world’s top three for the first time in her career after the PSA Women’s World Rankings were released today (February 1).
El Tayeb moves up four places courtesy of a semi-final placing at the inaugural Saudi PSA Women’s Squash Masters earlier in January which she followed up with a runner-up finish at the J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions to continue a rich vein of form that also saw her capture the U.S. Open in October.
The 24-year-old Egyptian fell just short of clinching the Tournament of Champions title in New York as she was defeated by compatriot Nour El Sherbini, who retains her place at the top of the Women’s Rankings for the 22nd successive month ahead of World Champion Raneem El Welily (No.2).
El Sherbini enjoyed a formidable start to 2018, lifting both the Saudi PSA Women’s Squash Masters and Tournament of Champions titles to take her tally to five titles so far this season to extend her lead at the top of the rankings.
Meanwhile, England’s Laura Massaro stays at No.4, while France’s Camille Serme drops to No.5 for the first time since December 2016.
Egypt’s Nouran Gohar and Malaysia’s Nicol David both drop a place, down to No.6 and No.7, respectively, while England’s Sarah-Jane Perry, New Zealand’s Joelle King and England’s Alison Waters complete the top ten.
Hong Kong’s Annie Au (No.11), Wales’ Tesni Evans (No.12) and American Olivia Blatchford (No.13) all remain unchanged, with England’s Emily Whitlock and Australia’s Donna Urquhart both rising a place to round off the top 15.
Elsewhere in the top 20, England’s Victoria Lust remains at No.16, while India’s Joshna Chinappa drop three places to World No.17, Hong Kong’s Joey Chan (No.18) and Egypt’s Salma Hany (No.19) swap places and India’s Dipika Pallikal Karthik completes the top 20.
United States star Amanda Sobhy, who made her return in New York last month after a 10-month injury lay-off, drops two places to No.30.
PSA Women’s World Rankings Top 20 – February 2018:
Picture by PATRICK LAUSON. Graphic courtesy of PSA