Rachael Retains World No1 Ranking

Australia's Rachael Grinham has narrowly held onto her number one position in the new March Women's World Squash Rankings, announced today by the Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA) - ahead of Dutch rival Vanessa Atkinson, who won last week's Bear Stearns Tournament of Champions in New York, the first major WISPA World Tour event of the year.

The 28-year-old from Toowoomba in Queensland has now failed to reach the final in three of the last four events in which she has competed - while Atkinson, from The Hague, is unbeaten in 14 matches, winning the Qatar Classic and World Open before her triumph in New York. The eight-times Dutch champion is poised to overtake Grinham at the earliest opportunity.

The world top six remains unchanged from last month, with Rachael's younger sister Natalie Grinham at three, Malaysia's Nicol David at four, and England's Linda Elriani, the surprise victor over Grinham senior in New York, at five. Natalie Grainger, from the USA, stays at six.

Vicky Botwright become England's second-ranked player for the first time after moving up three places to a career-high No7 as a result of reaching the last four in New York. It was the Manchester-based 27-year-old's first appearance in a WISPA Grand Prix semi-final.

New Zealand's Shelley Kitchen also records a best-ever ranking - jumping two places to 11 in the list. Ireland's Madeline Perry also rises two positions to mark a career-best world No12 ranking. A five place leap takes Dutch No2 Annelize Naude to a career-best world No14.

England's 20-year-old Alison Waters makes her debut in the world top 20 - and becomes the second youngest player in the elite list - with a jump of three places to 20 after recording her maiden WISPA title last month when she won the Forbes Southport Open in the USA.

1 [1] Rachael Grinham AUS
2 [2] Vanessa Atkinson NED
3 [3] Natalie Grinham AUS
4 [4] Nicol David MAS
5 [5] Linda Elriani ENG
6 [6] Natalie Grainger USA
7 [10] Vicky Botwright ENG
8 [8] Jenny Tranfield ENG
9 [7] Omneya Abdel Kawy EGY
10 [11] Jenny Duncalf ENG
11 [13] Shelley Kitchen NZL
12 [14] Madeline Perry IRL
13 [12] Fiona Geaves ENG
14 [19] Annelize Naude NED
15 [17] Tania Bailey ENG
16 [16] Rebecca Chiu HKG
17 [15] Isabelle Stoehr FRA
18 [18] Pamela Nimmo SCO
19 [20] Stephanie Brind ENG
20 [23] Alison Waters ENG