Palmer Returns To Top Five In New World Rankings

Victory in last month's Dunlop British Open has taken Australia's David Palmer back into the world top five, according to the new June Dunlop PSA Men's World Rankings published by the Professional Squash Association.

Egypt's world champion Amr Shabana moves into his 27th successive month at the top of the new list, ahead of second-placed Frenchman Gregory Gaultier; England's James Willstrop close behind at three; and Shabana's fellow countryman Ramy Ashour at No4.

Former world number one Palmer affirmed his status as one of the sport's greats when he beat James Willstrop in a dramatic British Open final in Liverpool to claim the prestigious title for a fourth time. The rejuvenated 31-year-old from New South Wales, now based in Boston, USA, took his PSA Tour title haul to 22 - more than any other current player an the Tour.

Palmer, who has maintained an unbroken presence in the world's top ten since September 2000, now celebrates his 81st month in the top five.

Peter Barker, the English left-hander who achieved his second successive quarter-final berth in the British Open in May, moves back into the top ten to a career-equalling-high No10.

Laurens Jan Anjema enhances his status as the highest-ranked Dutchman of all-time by rising to a best-ever 16th place in the new list. The 25-year-old from The Hague celebrated his seventh Tour win at the Bluenose Classic in Canada in February.

Shahier Razik brings the number of nations represented in the world top twenty to nine - and becomes the first Canadian in the elite list since December 2006 by rising to a career-high No20. The 30-year-old from Toronto celebrated his 27th PSA Tour final appearance, and his 18th title, when he won the Talisman Energy Bankers Hall Club Open on home soil in January.

Of note, too, is the five position leap by Miguel Angel Rodriguez to a career-best No23 ranking. The 22-year-old from Bogotá has become the highest-ranked Colombian of all-time - and, at just 22, already boasts eight titles from 15 final appearances since April 2005!

1 [1] Amr Shabana EGY
2 [2] Gregory Gaultier FRA
3 [3] James Willstrop ENG
4 [4] Ramy Ashour EGY
5 [6] David Palmer AUS
6 [5] Thierry Lincou FRA
7 [7] Nick Matthew ENG
8 [8] Karim Darwish EGY
9 [9] Wael El Hindi EGY
10 [12] Peter Barker ENG
11 [10] Ong Beng Hee MAS
12 [11] Lee Beachill ENG
13 [13] Mohd Azlan Iskandar MAS
14 [14] Stewart Boswell AUS
15 [15] Adrian Grant ENG
16 [17] Laurens Jan Anjema NED
17 [16] Olli Tuominen FIN
18 [18] Cameron Pilley AUS
19 [19] John White SCO
20 [21] Shahier Razik CAN