Egyptians Take Top Three Spots in Women’s World Rankings for First Time in History by Sean Reuthe
photo PSA
December 1, 2016
- Egypt has become the first country in 20 years to hold all three top
spots on the PSA Women’s World Rankings after Raneem El Welily joined
compatriots Nour El Sherbini and Nouran Gohar inside the world’s top
three in the December Rankings - emulating the feats of Australia in
the 1990s.
El Welily, who topped the World Rankings between September - December
2015, defeated Gohar in the final of last month’s Wadi Degla Open to
take the title in front of her home fans and move up two places to
No.2, leapfrogging Gohar in the process.
In doing so, the triumvirate have joined Australian trio Michelle
Martin, Sarah Fitz-Gerald and Liz Irving - who took the top three
places in the July 1996 World Rankings - in the history books.
They are joined by Omneya Abdel Kawy (No.8) in a top 10 that features a
four-strong Egyptian contingent, while England’s Laura Massaro falls to
No.4, one place ahead of Frenchwoman Camille Serme at No.5.
Malaysia’s eight-time World Champion Nicol David has fallen to No.6 -
her lowest ranking since December 2004 - with charismatic American
Amanda Sobhy, England’s Alison Waters and New Zealand’s Joelle King
capping the top 10 at No.7, No.9 and No.10, respectively.
Elsewhere in the top 20, Sarah-Jane Perry returns to a career-high
No.11 position, while Nour El Tayeb, Joey Chan and Heba El Torky all
enjoyed respective rises to No.15, No.18 and No.19.
Meanwhile, former World No.2 Jenny Duncalf drops out of the top 20,
falling four places to No.22, which is her lowest ranking since 2003.
She sits behind Donna Urquhart at No.20 and Tesni Evans of Wales, whose
semi-final finish at the Wadi Degla Open has elevated her to within one
place of the top 20.
