While Malaysian Nicol David has now held a firm grip on the number one position in the Women's World Squash Rankings for more than two years, the second place has changed hands for the third time in three months, according to the new October list published today (Tuesday) by the Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA).
Natalie Grinham, who surrendered the No2 slot to her older sister Rachael Grinham last month, reclaims the position from the world champion from Australia to bring her total reign as the world’s second best player to 20 months.
Natalie, the 30-year-old who became a Dutch national in February, notched up her fourth WISPA World Tour final berth this year at last month’s Forexx Dutch Open, where she lost to Tour rival Nicol David.
USA's Natalie Grainger retains her fourth position, ahead of England's Jenny Duncalf at five.
But Duncalf’s England team-mate Alison Waters continues her relentless march up the rankings. In 11th place two months ago, the Londoner leapt to eight last month, and now to a career-high No6 in the latest list.
The 24-year-old claimed a surprise semi-final berth in the Dutch Open after taking out Rachael Grinham in the quarter-finals.
Former world champion Vanessa Atkinson also has cause for celebration: The ten-time Dutch National champion made it to the Dutch Open quarter-finals in Amsterdam – and is rewarded by a three-place rise to No8, her highest position this year.
A new name graces the world top 20 as England’s Lauren Briggs makes her debut in the elite list. The 29-year-old from London netted her fourth Tour title at the Carcassonne City Open in France in May – since when she has earned places as a qualifier in three successive WISPA Gold events, the Malaysian Open, Singapore Masters and Dutch Open.
Meanwhile Tania Bailey slides a little further due to her long term absence with a knee injury. The 28-year-old from England has dropped to 11 – and hopes to be back on the WISPA Tour in November.
1 [1] Nicol David MAS
2 [3] Natalie Grinham NED
3 [2] Rachael Grinham AUS
4 [4] Natalie Grainger USA
5 [5] Jenny Duncalf ENG
6 [8] Alison Waters ENG
7 [10] Omneya Abdel Kawy EGY
8 [11] Vanessa Atkinson NED
9 [9] Laura Lengthorn-Massaro ENG
10 [6] Shelley Kitchen NZL
11 [7] Tania Bailey ENG
12 [12] Vicky Botwright ENG
13 [13] Kasey Brown AUS
14 [14] Rebecca Chiu HKG
15 [16] Isabelle Stoehr FRA
16 [15] Madeline Perry IRL
17 [17] Samantha Teran MEX
18 [19] Jaclyn Hawkes NZL
19 [19] Engy Kheirallah EGY
20 [21] Lauren Briggs ENG
For the complete WISPA ranking list, see www.wispa.net
