Nicol David Reaches New World Ranking High

Malaysia's Nicol David has reached a new milestone in her remarkable squash career by achieving her 17th month as world number one in the new September Women's World Squash Rankings, published today by the Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA) - thus becoming the fourth longest standing women's world number one of all-time!

Sharing a 16-month total in August with Australia's Rachael Grinham and England's now retired Cassie Jackman, David now takes fourth place exclusively in the all-time list, behind New Zealand's Susan Devoy (105 months), and Australians Michelle Martin (58) and Sarah Fitz-Gerald (40).

Comprehensive victories over Rachael Grinham and Natalie Grainger, third and fourth seeds, respectively, in last week's Forexx Dutch Open in Amsterdam emphasised Nicol David's status as the world's top player - and, in her 16th successive final on the WISPA World Tour, the 24-year-old from Penang notched up her sixth Tour title of the year and the 22nd of her career since February 2000.

Australia's Natalie Grinham holds onto second place in the new list, despite an ankle problem contributing to her losing to her older sister Rachael in the Dutch Open semi-finals. Rachael retains third place, ahead of England's Tania Bailey at four, and USA's Natalie Grainger, the other Dutch Open semi-finalist, at number five.

England's Jenny Duncalf moves back into the top 10, while Egyptian Engy Kheirallah also rises, to 14, in the new rankings.

A stunning marathon first round Dutch Open victory by qualifier Isabelle Stoehr over England's world No6 Vicky Botwright in 98 minutes - both players' longest ever match - has helped the French champion jump two places to 18.

1 [1] Nicol David MAS
2 [2] Natalie Grinham AUS
3 [3] Rachael Grinham AUS
4 [4] Tania Bailey ENG
5 [5] Natalie Grainger USA
6 [6] Vicky Botwright ENG
7 [7] Omneya Abdel Kawy EGY
8 [8] Madeline Perry IRL
9 [9] Vanessa Atkinson NED
10 [12] Jenny Duncalf ENG
11 [10] Shelley Kitchen NZL
12 [11] Laura Lengthorn-Massaro ENG
13 [13] Alison Waters ENG
14 [15] Engy Kheirallah EGY
15 [14] Rebecca Chiu HKG
16 [16] Kasey Brown AUS
17 [17] Annelize Naude NED
18 [20] Isabelle Stoehr FRA
19 [18] Sharon Wee MAS
20 [19] Jaclyn Hawkes NZL