New Darwish Ranking Leads To Historic Achievement For Egypt

A career-best world number two ranking by Karim Darwish in the new Dunlop PSA Men's World Squash Rankings has led to Egypt becoming the first country to boast three players in the world top four for 16 years!

While Egypt's Amr Shabana moves into his 32nd month at the top of the November list, published by the Professional Squash Association, and new World Open champion Ramy Ashour retains his fourth place, Karim Darwish celebrates last month's runners-up berth in the Hi-Tec World Open in England, and his title triumph in last week's Qatar Classic in Doha, by leaping four places to a best-ever second place.

The 27-year-old from Cairo fulfilled the promise he has shown all year when he defeated defending champion Amr Shabana in straight games in the Qatar Classic final to secure the biggest PSA Tour title of his career. It was Darwish's third Tour final in a row, after finishing as runner-up both in the Petrosport International Championship in Cairo in August, and last month's World Open in Manchester.

It was in November 1992 that Pakistan's Jansher Khan topped the rankings - but Australia held the next four places with Chris Dittmar at two; Rodney Martin at three; Chris Robertson at No4; and Brett Martin at five.

There was further reason for Egyptian joy lower down the top ten where Giza-born Wael El Hindi moved up a single place to mark a career-best No8 ranking.

Laurens Jan Anjema continues to consolidate his status as the highest-ranked Dutchman of all-time by rising to a career-high world No14 in the new list. The 25-year-old from The Hague celebrated his 19th Tour final appearance at the Wolverhampton Open in England last month.

Borja Golan continues his bid to become Spain's highest-ranked player ever. The 25-year-old from Santiago DC reached the final of the Internationaux de France in July against the odds - then celebrated unexpected second round berths in both the World Open and Qatar Classic. Golan jumps four places to a best-ever 16 - still five positions below former Spanish international Austin Adarraga.

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