Hong Hong win lifts 18-year-old closer to the summit
By NATHAN CLARKE
Egypt’s Nouran Gohar has overtaken compatriot Raneem El Welily to move up to a career-high World No.4 in the new PSA Women’s World Rankings (released on September 1st).
The 18-year-old lifted her first World Series title last week at the Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Open just 17 days after being crowned the World Junior Champion for the second successive time.
Gohar’s move to No.4 means that former World No.1 El Welily, who suffered a second round defeat in Hong Kong, moves to No.5 in what is her lowest World Ranking since May 2012.
World Champion Nour El Sherbini holds on to top spot, while England’s Laura Massaro and Malaysian eight-time World Champion Nicol David stay at No.2 and No.3, respectively.
The woman Gohar beat in the Hong Kong Open final, charismatic American Amanda Sobhy, is rewarded for a fine week by moving up a place to a joint career-best No.7 ranking, swapping places with Egypt’s Omneya Abdel Kawy, who drops to No.8.
Camille Serme stays at No.6, while Alison Waters and Joshna Chinappa both rise two places to their respective rankings of No.9 and No.10.
Egypt’s Nour El Tayeb, meanwhile, was the biggest riser in the top 20, moving from No.16 to No.12, with Emily Whitlock also on the move to a joint career-high of No.15.
New Zealand’s Joelle King drops out of the top 10 to No.11, while Hong Kong’s Annie Au and English duo Sarah-Jane Perry and Victoria Lust fall to No.13, No.14 and No.16, respectively.
Elsewhere, former World No.2 Jenny Duncalf moves down two places to No.17, with Malaysia’s Delia Arnold falling to No.18. India’s Dipika Pallikal Karthik at No.19 and Hong Kong’s Joey Chan round off the top 20.
PSA Women’s World Rankings Top 20: September 2016
Pictures courtesy of PSA