Nicol David Completes Third Unbroken Year As World Number One

Nicol David celebrates three complete years at the top of the Women's World Squash Rankings, according to the new July list published today by the Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA).

The 25-year-old Malaysian thus becomes only the third player in history to achieve such an unbroken run as world number one - behind New Zealander Susan Devoy (58 months) and Australian Michelle Martin (44 months) - and the first since 1996.

David claimed her third World Open title last October and won her latest WISPA World Tour title at the Seoul Open last month in South Korea - a triumph which marked the 37th Tour title of her career, and the 30th in just 37 WISPA event appearances since October 2005.

While USA star Natalie Grainger retains her second place position, Dutch number one Natalie Grinham rises to No3, overtaking her older sister Rachael Grinham, who represents Australia.

England's Jenny Duncalf also moves upwards - leapfrogging compatriot Alison Waters to reclaim fifth place in the new list. The 26-year-old from Harrogate in Yorkshire is enjoying one of the best runs on the WISPA Tour - and last month reached the biggest final of her career at the Seoul Open.

Lower in the rankings, two players mark significant rankings breakthroughs: England's Sarah Kippax rises to a career-high world No23 after celebrating an unexpected semi-final berth in last month's Alexandria Sporting Club Open in Egypt - while France's Camille Serme leaps a stunning ten places to a best-ever 24 after winning her fourth title of the year at the Alexandria Sporting Club Open, as the No8 seed!

July top 20 (inc. points average):

1 [1] Nicol David MAS 3340
2 [2] Natalie Grainger USA 1650
3 [4] Natalie Grinham NED 1352
4 [3] Rachael Grinham AUS 1308
5 [5] Jenny Duncalf ENG 1075
6 [6] Alison Waters ENG 941
7 [7] Omneya Abdel Kawy EGY 867
8 [9] Madeline Perry IRL 798
9 [8] Laura Lengthorn-Massaro ENG 737
10 [11] Shelley Kitchen NZL 616
11 [11] Isabelle Stoehr FRA 524
12 [12] Vanessa Atkinson NED 505
13 [14] Tania Bailey ENG 500
14 [13] Kasey Brown AUS 496
15 [15] Rebecca Chiu HKG 482
16 [17] Jaclyn Hawkes NZL 458
17 [18] Annie Au HKG 443
18 [16] Samantha Teran MEX 440
19 [19] Raneem El Weleily EGY 400
20 [20] Lauren Briggs ENG 376