May 2011

Nick Matthew’s makes 5th month as World No1!

England’s Nick Matthew (pic le) moves into his 5th successive month as world No1, according to the May PSA Men’s World Rankings. The world champion heads an unchanged top ten, with Egyptian rival Ramy Ashour at No2; fellow Egyptian Karim Darwish – winner of April’s Kolkata International in India – in 3rd place; and England’s James Willstrop at No4. Egypt’s Wael El Hindi (pic ri) moves up 3 places to No13 following his successful campaign in last month’s Berkshire Open in the USA. May 2011 top 15 (inc. points average): 1 [1] Nick Matthew ENG 1,568; 2 [2] Ramy Ashour EGY 1,296; 3 [3] Karim Darwish EGY 1,022; 4 [4] James Willstrop ENG 897; 5 [5] Amr Shabana EGY 832; 6 [6] Gregory Gaultier FRA 747; 7 [7] Peter Barker ENG 618; 8 [8] Thierry Lincou FRA 557; 9 [9] Mohamed El Shorbagy EGY 470; 10 [10] Azlan Iskandar MAS 434; 11 [11] David Palmer AUS 409; 12 [12] Daryl Selby ENG 384; 13 [16] Wael El Hindi EGY 378; 14 [14] Hisham Ashour EGY 358; 15 [13] Laurens Jan Anjema NED 357.

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England clinch European Championship Double!

England (pic) positively reclaimed its status as the top squash nation in Europe by winning both the men’s and women’s European Team Championships titles in style in Espoo, Finland. For the 11th time in the last 12 years, England faced fierce rivals France in the men’s final of the event which is in its 39th year. Though England’s victory is hardly surprising, it was the 19th men’s win in a row, and the 36th of all-time. But it was the women’s final that was the biggest celebration of the day for England. After losing in last year’s semi-finals following 32 successive title successes, England’s women made no mistakes this time an beat the title-holders Netherlands 2/1. “Last year’s disappointment motivated us and this was a great reward for the whole team,” said England coach David Campion.

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