Hamstring holds up in Hong Kong as Ramy roars back
By SEAN REUTHE
Egyptian three-time World Champion Ramy Ashour has returned to the world’s top five for the first time since April after the PSA Men’s World Rankings were released today (September 1st).
Ashour made a successful return from a hamstring injury during last week’s Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Open and powered to his first World Series title in 16 months, beating compatriot Karim Abdel Gawad in the final.
Meanwhile, a surprise second round exit in Hong Kong wasn’t enough to knock Ashour’s long-term rival, Mohamed ElShorbagy, off top spot, while World Champion Gregory Gaultier stays at No.2 despite also falling to a second round loss.
World Championship runner-up Omar Mosaad and England’s Nick Matthew are the other players to reside in the world’s top five at No.3 and No.4, respectively, while Gawad’s runner-up finish is rewarded with a move up to a career-high No.6, two places higher than last month.
Marwan ElShorbagy, the younger brother of Mohamed, moves down a place to No.7, while Miguel Angel Rodriguez’s shock first round defeat to wildcard Tsz Fung Yip last week sees him slip to No.8. Frenchman Mathieu Castagnet, who moves down two places to No.9, and Ali Farag complete the top 10.
Egypt now have six players in the world top ten and nine in the top 20.
Elsewhere, Ryan Cuskelly’s impressive semi-final finish in Hong Kong sees the Australian rise from No.16 to a career-best No.13, swapping places with Spain’s Borja Golan to sit behind Tarek Momen at No.11 and Simon Rösner at No.12. Cameron Pilley and Fares Dessouky stay at No.14 and No.15, respectively, while Hong Kong Open semi-finalist Max Lee rises to No.17. James Willstrop, Daryl Selby and Mazen Hesham cap off the top 20, with all three players moving up one spot after Indian No.1 Saurav Ghosal fell from No.17 to No.21.
PSA Men’s World Rankings Top 20 – September 2016
Pictures courtesy of PSA