By Michael Catling
Camille Serme’s victory on home soil at the Monte Carlo Classic last month has seen the 24-year-old rise to a career-high fifth in the WSA world rankings this month.
Serme, who beat Laura Massaro in the final of her home tournament, also reached the final of the Carol Weymuller Open in October, knocking out the English trio of Jenny Duncalf, Alison Waters and Massaro en route.
The French star’s new ranking surpasses her previous high of world number six and will give her added confidence heading into the Hong Kong Open this week.
Serme (pictured above) has been drawn to face English youngster Emily Whitlock in the opening round and is seeded to meet her Carol Weymuller Open final conqueror, Nicol David, in the last 16.
Elsewhere, former world number two Duncalf and Low Wee Wern both move up one place to number seven and eight respectively.
US number one Amanda Sobhy’s victory at the Harrow LA Open – her fourth success this year – sees the 19-year-old rise two places to number 18, while a special mention is reserved for 16-year-old Nouran Ahmed Gohar who advances to a career-high 38th after progressing to the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo Classic.
The top-four remain unchanged with David making it an incredible 89 consecutive months at the top of the world rankings.
December 2013Â (inc. points average):
| Rank | (Prev) | Player | Points | |
| 1 | [1] | Nicol David | MAS | 3,499.38 |
| 2 | [2] | Laura Massaro | ENG | 2278.94 |
| 3 | [3] | Raneem El Weleily | EGY | 1,656.25 |
| 4 | [4] | Alison Waters | ENG | 1,185.94 |
| 5 | [7] | Camille Serme | FRA | 1,071.88 |
| 6 | [5] | Joelle King | NZL | 1,040.29 |
| 7 | [8] | Jenny Duncalf | ENG | 952.94 |
| 8 | [9] | Low Wee Wern | MAS | 904.71 |
| 9 | [6] | Natalie Grinham | NED | 902.29 |
| 10 | [10] | Madeline Perry | IRL | 867.58 |
| 11 | [11] | Kasey Brown | AUS | 715.16 |
| 12 | [12] | Dipika Pallikal | IND | 670.83 |
| 13 | [13] | Abdel Kawy | EGY | 631.88 |
| 14 | [14] | Rachael Grinham | AUS | 544.7 |
| 15 | [15] | Nour El Sherbini | EGY | 500.63 |
| 16 | [17] | Annie Au | HKG | 466.53 |
| 17 | [16] | Sarah-Jane Perry | ENG | 449.56 |
| 18 | [20] | Amanda Sobhy | USA | 395.62 |
| 19 | [19] | Nicolette Fernandes | GUY | 385.85 |
| 20 | [18] | Line Hansen | DEN | 373.61 |