Atkinson Leaps Back Into World Top Ten

While the relentless world number one reign of Nicol David moves into its 52nd successive month in the November Women's World Squash Rankings, her predecessor Vanessa Atkinson celebrates her highest ranking for more than two years in the new list published by the Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA).

Last month Nicol David claimed her first WISPA Tour title triumph in Mexico - but her success in the Torneo International Bicentenario Mexico, a new WISPA Gold event, took the Malaysian's career haul to 49 Tour titles and her unbeaten run this year to 34 matches.

But meanwhile, Dutch star Vanessa Atkinson is enjoying new lease of life in a distinguished career which kicked off in 1995. The former world champion first topped the world rankings in December 2005 before being toppled by Nicol David in August 2006.

And last month showed that the 34-year-old from The Hague still has much to offer: A sensational maiden title triumph in the METROsquash US Open in Chicago led to Atkinson celebrating her 40th Tour final appearance in the Monte Carlo Classic - and a leap to No8 in the new rankings, her highest position since October 2008.

England's Jenny Duncalf strengthens her position at No2 after successfully defending her title in last week's Carol Weymuller Open in New York.

But Australian Kasey Brown, who upset Duncalf earlier in the month en-route to a surprise semi-final berth in the Torneo International Bicentenario Mexico, celebrates a career-high world No7 in the new list.

New Zealander Jaclyn Hawkes also has cause for celebration after moving to a best-ever No12. The 27-year-old from Auckland, winner of her third Tour title at the Chairman's Cup in January, reached the quarter-finals of the Gold event in Mexico.

Low Wee Wern, the 20-year-old Malaysian who is the youngest player in the top 20, also rises to a career-best 16th place.

And New Zealander Joelle King makes a welcome return to the world top 20 - moving up a single place from 21 after celebrating her seventh Tour final appearance at last month's Crocodile Challenge Cup in Hong Kong.

November top 20 (inc. points average):

1	[1]	Nicol David	MAS	2982
2	[2]	Jenny Duncalf	ENG	1992
3	[3]	Alison Waters	ENG	1512
4	[4]	Omneya Abdel Kawy	EGY	1302
5	[5]	Rachael Grinham	AUS	1223
6	[6]	Madeline Perry	IRL	1092
7	[9]	Kasey Brown	AUS	829
8	[11]	Vanessa Atkinson	NED	773
9	[8]	Laura Massaro	ENG	769
10	[7]	Camille Serme	FRA	769
11	[10]	Raneem El Weleily	EGY	650
12	[13]	Jaclyn Hawkes	NZL	537
13	[14]	Samantha Teran	MEX	537
14	[12]	Engy Kheirallah	EGY	529
15	[15]	Annie Au	HKG	518
16	[17]	Low Wee Wern	MAS	468
17	[16]	Donna Urquhart	AUS	449
18	[18]	Isabelle Stoehr	FRA	405
19	[19]	Rebecca Chiu	HKG	390
20	[21]	Joelle King	NZL	374

For the complete WISPA ranking list, see www.wispa.net