March World Rankings

Men : Coll becomes first male New Zealander to reach World #1

Greymouth-born Paul Coll has made history as the first man ever from New Zealand to reach World No.1 in the PSA Men’s World Rankings.

The 29-year-old was in magnificent form throughout 2021 and won three PSA World Tour titles, including the prestigious Allam British Open, where he beat the man he has replaced as World No.1 – Egypt’s Ali Farag – to become the first male Kiwi to win the sport’s longest-running event.

Those wins, coupled with Farag’s ranking points from the 2020 Qatar Classic and CIB Black Ball Squash Open expiring, have sent Coll to World No.1 and he becomes the 21st man to climb to the summit of the World Rankings. It is also the first time since Frenchman Gregory Gaultier topped the rankings in May 2017 that there hasn’t been an Egyptian men’s World No.1.

It’s pretty special and it’s capping off a great season,” said Coll, who takes on Tarek Momen in the semi-finals of the Windy City Open Presented by the Walter Family tonight.

“It’s something that I didn’t think would come through this soon in the season, so it’s a real special moment and it’s huge for me. I’ve always had this goal and it’s always been in the back of my mind that it was what I wanted, so I’ve just kept training and trying to improve to reach that spot.”

Farag’s six-month reign as World No.1 comes to an end as he drops to No.2 ahead of World No.3 Mohamed ElShorbagy – who returned to action with a title win at the Squash on Fire Open last month. Mostafa Asal (No.4) and Tarek Momen (No.5) complete the top five.

Diego Elias (No.6), Marwan ElShorbagy (No.7) and Squash on Fire Open runner-up Joel Makin (No.8) retain their places, while Mazen Hesham rises a place to a career-high ranking of No.9 at the expense of Fares Dessouky, who drops to No.10.

Frenchman Gregoire Marche moves up to a career-high ranking of No.11, with Colombia’s Miguel Rodriguez falling to No.12. Karim Abdel Gawad and Mohamed Abouelghar stay at No.13 and No.14, respectively. Youssef Soliman takes the last spot in the top 15, switching places with India’s Saurav Ghosal to record a career-high ranking.

Next comes Youssef Ibrahim at No.17, while Eain Yow Ng and Raphael Kandra share the No.18 spot. Baptiste Masotti rounds off the top 20.

Australia’s Josh Larkin is the biggest mover on the men’s tour after a runner-up finish at the Roberts & Morrow North Coast Open saw him move up 398 places to No.321. India’s Karan Malik also enjoyed a big rise in his ranking, moving up 234 spots to No.577 after appearing in the last 24 of the Squash on Fire Open.

FULL WORLD RANKINGS

Women: US Fiechter & Sobhy duo make rankings history

Two USA players will appear in the top 10 of the PSA Women’s World Rankings for the first time in history after Philadelphia-based Olivia Fiechter moved up a place to join fellow American Amanda Sobhy in the top 10.

Fiechter was a runner-up at the Cincinnati Gaynor Cup during February and that has seen her rise one spot to a career-high ranking of No.10. Sobhy, meanwhile, stays at No.4 after losing out to Fiechter in the quarter finals of that event.

Nour El Sherbini remains at No.1 for a 17th successive month and is followed by Nouran Gohar , Hania El Hammamy , Sobhy and Sarah-Jane Perry.

The rest of the top 10 is made up of Joelle King (No.6), Salma Hany (No.7), Camille Serme (No.8) and Rowan Elaraby (No.9).

England’s Georgina Kennedy drops out of the top 10 to No.11 and she is followed by USA’s Olivia Clyne at No.12, Belgium’s Nele Gilis at No.13, India’s Joshna Chinappa at No.14 and Egypt’s Nadine Shahin at No.15.

Canada’s Hollie Naughton rises to a career-high No.16 ranking, while Wales’ Tesni Evans drops three places to No.17. Emily Whitlock (No.18), Melissa Alves (No.19) and Danielle Letourneau (No.20) take the last spots in the top 20.

Japan’s Akari Midorikawa is the biggest mover this month after she moved up 95 spots to reach No.189 courtesy of her maiden PSA title win at the Aida Sekkei Greetings Squash Championships last month.

FULL WORLD RANKINGS