Brits Dominate Top Of World Rankings Ahead Of World Series Finals
by Leigh Ireland
December 21, 2011 - The English contingent on the International Tour have put forward their case as the number one squash nation in the world after impressing in this month’s rankings.
The men’s and women’s draws for the ATCO World Series Finals today (below) featured five Brits amongst the sixteen qualifying players who hold the greatest number of points accumulated from the year’s World Series events.
James Willstrop secured an outstanding victory against Gregory Gaultier (France) at the recent World Series event in Delhi on Dec 18 and in January will move into pole position in the Dunlop world rankings ahead of fellow Yorkshireman, Nick Matthew. The win also helped Willstrop leap-frog over Matthew to the top of the World Series standings.
In the women’s world rankings, England’s Jenny Duncalf maintained her world number two status, below the irrepressible Nicol David (Malaysia), who has dominated the ladies game for the past five years. Laura Massaro added to the British challenge, taking third position for the first time ever in the December rankings although she is only fifth on the World Series standings – a dangerous shadow seed.
With two Brits in each of the world top three from the men’s and women’s Tours, the sport is in rude health as it continues to lobby for inclusion at the 2020 Olympics.
The top players from the WSA women’s Tour will join their PSA men’s counterparts for the first time ever at a World Series Finals on 4th to 8th January 2012 at the prestigious Queen’s Club in West London.
PSA Men’s Groups
Group 1 Group 2
James Willstrop (England) Nick Matthew (England)
Ramy Ashour (Egypt) Greg Gaultier (France)
Karim Darwish (Egypt) Amr Shabana (Egypt)
Azlan Iskander (Malaysia) Peter Barker (England)
WSA Women’s Groups
Group A Group B
Nicol David (Malaysia) Jenny Duncalf (England)
Madeline Perry (N.Ireland) Rachael Grinham (Australia)
Camille Serme (France) Laura Massaro (England)
Donna Urquhart (Australia) Low Wee Wern (Malaysia)
Men’s Draw
Wednesday 4th January 2012
Match Time
18:00
Group 1 – Ramy Ashour v Azlan Iskandar
18:45
Group 1 – James Willstrop v Karim Darwish
20:20 (min 45 minute break)
Group 2 – Nick Matthew v Greg Gaultier
21:00
Group 2 – Amr Shabana v Peter Barker
Thursday 5th January 2012
Match Time
18:00
Group 1 - Karim Darwish v Azlan Iskandar
18:45
Group 1 - James Willstrop v Ramy Ashour
20:20 (min 45 minute break)
Group 2 - Nick Matthew v Amr Shabana
21:00
Group 2 - Greg Gaultier v Peter Barker
Friday 6th January 2012
Match Time
18:00
Group 1 - James Willstrop v Azlan Iskandar
18:45
Group 1 - Ramy Ashour v Karim Darwish
20:20 (min 45 minute break)
Group 2 - Nick Matthew v Peter Barker
21:00
Group 2 – Greg Gaultier v Amr Shabana
Women’s pool matches run from 1pm weekdays and are available to media only, before joining the men for Super Saturday & Sunday:
Saturday 7th January 2012
Match Time
14:00
Women’s Semi Final 1
Group A Winner v Group B Runner Up
Follow on
Women’s Semi Final 2
Group A Runner up v Group B Winner
Follow on
Men’s Semi Final 1
Group 1 Winner v Group 2 Runner Up
Follow on
Men’s Semi Final 2
Group 1 Runner up v Group 2 Winner
Sunday 8th January 2012
Match Time
14:00
WSA Women’s Grand Final
Follow on
PSA Men’s Grand Final
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