Category: "players"

Sherbini becomes youngest ever World top ten star!

It is the Egyptian teenagers who got the headlines for the WSA June Rankings, as Nour El Sherbini (ri) reach the final of the Allam British Open in May, beating 3 higher seeds on the way to be the youngest and the 1st Egyptian female in a British Open final. The sixteen-year-old leaps 8 places in the WSA Rankings to sit at No7 in the world.

At the top of the rankings, Nicol David (le, MAS) and Jenny Duncalf (ENG) remain unmoved, but Laura Massaro (ENG) has maintained her game of cat-and-mouse with Madeline Perry (IRE) by reclaiming the No3 spot. Raneem El Weleily of Egypt has moved up to No4, her highest ranking to date, whilst Perry has dropped to 5th spot.

June 2012 top 20 (inc. points average):
1 [1] Nicol David MAS 3,654
2 [2] Jenny Duncalf ENG 1,643
3 [4] Laura Massaro ENG 1,439
4 [5] Raneem El Weleily EGY 1,404
5 [3] Madeline Perry IRL 1,298
6 [6] Annie Au HKG 1,009
7 [15] Nour El Sherbini EGY 958
8 [10] Camille Serme FRAU 937
9 [8] Rachael Grinham AUS 889
10 [7] Kasey Brown AUS 870
11 [9] Natalie Grinham NED 868
12 [11] Samantha Teran MEX 756
13 [12]Joelle King NZL 749
14 [13] Low Wee Wern MAS 659
15 [14] Dipika Pallikal IND 657
16 [17] Donna Urquhart AUS 509
17 [16] Joey Chan HKG 507
18 [19] Jaclyn Hawkes NZL 499
19 [18] Omneya Abdel Kawy EGY 436
20 [21] Delia Arnold MAS 416


Willstrop at the top – Matthew gets closer!

Historic title success in last month's Allam British Open has seen Nick Matthew (pic) reduce the gap behind James Willstrop in the new June Dunlop PSA Men's World Rankings – but fellow Englishman Willstrop holds onto the top spot.

Matthew beat Egyptian rival Ramy Ashour in straight games in the final of the 4th PSA World Series event of the year at the prestigious O2 Arena in London to become the 1st Englishman in the 82-year history of the British Open to win a 3rd title.

But the dramatic events in the final stages of the 1st staging of the world-famous event since 2009 did nothing to change the top 5 of the latest world rankings – Willstrop moving into his 5th month at No1, followed by Matthew at 2; British Open quarter-finalist Greg Gaultier in 3rd place; Ashour at No4 and fellow Egyptian Karim Darwish at 5.

But England’s Peter Barker, the Londoner who fully capitalised on ‘hometown advantage’ at the O2 by beating Frenchman Gaultier for only the second time over the past 7 years, rises to a career-high-equalling 6th place.

Thierry Lincou, the 36-year-old Frenchman who won the Bluenose Classic in Canada in April unseeded, returns to the top 10 after slipping to a 10-and-a-half-year career low 13 earlier in the year.

And England’s Tom Richards also equals his career-best ranking of 15 after making the British Open last 16 for the first time.

After coming close to producing the biggest shock of the 2012 British Open by leading 2/0 and 8-6 against Ramy Ashour, Spaniard Borja Golan celebrates the biggest rise in the top 20 by jumping two places to No18.

June 2012 top 20 (inc. points average):
1 [1] James Willstrop ENG 1,685
2 [2] Nick Matthew ENG 1,503
3 [3] Gregory Gaultier FRA 1,296
4 [4] Ramy Ashour EGY 1,123
5 [5] Karim Darwish EGY 961
6 [7] Peter Barker ENG 683
7 [6] Amr Shabana EGY 650
8 [8] Mohamed El Shorbagy EGY 615
9 [9] Laurens Jan Anjema NED 537
10 [11] Thierry Lincou FRA 454
11 [10] Daryl Selby ENG 432
12 [12] Omar Mosaad EGY 419
13 [13] Alister Walker BOT 373
14 [14] Hisham Mohd Ashour EGY 367
15 [16] Tom Richards ENG 365
16 [15] Mohd Azlan Iskandar MAS 354
17 [17] Adrian Grant ENG 346
18 [20] Borja Golan ESP 329
19 [18] Cameron Pilley AUS 328
20 [19] Simon Rosner GER 316


Alarcon takes Paraguay Trophy!

Brazilian Rafael Alarcon (le) celebrated his maiden appearance in a PSA World Tour event this year in perfect style by winning the Tour de las Americas Paraguay Open in Asuncion.

Winner of the title in 2009 and 2010, the 35-year-old from Sao Paulo faced top seed Jan Koukal (ri) in the final. Whilst Alarcon had come through his semi-final against Argentinean Gonzalo Miranda in straight games 11-4, 11-6, 17-15, the Czech No1 had survived an 80-minute marathon against Joan Lezaud 11-7, 9-11, 14-12, 7-11, 11-7.

The 11-6, 11-5, 11-9 title triumph marks the Brazilian’s 18th Tour title – making the world No75 the South American with the most titles on the PSA World Tour.

Final:
[2] Rafael Alarcon (BRA) bt [1] Jan Koukal (CZE) 11-6, 11-5, 11-9 (31m)

Semi-finals:
[1] Jan Koukal (CZE) bt [3] Joan Lezaud (FRA) 11-7, 9-11, 14-12, 7-11, 11-7 (80m)
[2] Rafael Alarcon (BRA) bt Gonzalo Miranda (ARG) 11-4, 11-6, 17-15 (41m)

Quarter-finals:
[1] Jan Koukal (CZE) bt Evan Williams (NZL) 11-8, 13-11, 11-7 (50m)
[3] Joan Lezaud (FRA) bt Leandro Romiglio Fernandez (ESP) 11-9, 11-7, 11-3 (38m)
Gonzalo Miranda (ARG) bt [4] Fabien Verseille (FRA) 11-5, 11-6, 11-13, 11-8 (59m)
[2] Rafael Alarcon (BRA) bt Juan Pablo Roude (ARG) 11-5, 11-9, 11-7 (35m)

1st round:
[1] Jan Koukal (CZE) bt Luke Butterworth (ENG) 11-9, 11-6, 8-11, 11-8 (38m)
Evan Williams (NZL) bt Vinicius Rodrigues (BRA) 11-3, 11-1, 14-16, 11-4 (36m)
Leandro Romiglio Fernandez (ESP) bt [Q] Nicolas Caballero (PAR) 11-6, 11-5, 11-13, 11-6 (39m)
[3] Joan Lezaud (FRA) bt [Q] Bryan Bonilla (GUA) 11-9, 11-6, 11-4 (24m)
[4] Fabien Verseille (FRA) bt [Q] Andre L’Heureux (PAR) 11-3, 2-11, 11-4, 11-3 (28m)
Gonzalo Miranda (ARG) bt Hernan D’Arcangelo (ARG) 12-10, 12-10, 11-9 (51m)
Juan Pablo Roude (ARG) bt Fernando Lopez (MEX) 11-8, 11-7, 1-11, 11-5 (38m)
[2] Rafael Alarcon (BRA) bt [Q] Esteban Casarino (PAR) 11-3, 7-11, 11-9, 11-5 (46m)


Palmer claims Namur Legends trophy!

Australia’s David Palmer (ri) claimed the Namur Legends of Squash 2012 title by beating England’s Peter Nicol (le) in the climax of the new Legends tournament in the Belgium city of Namur.

2-times World Champion and 4-times British Open Champion Palmer lost the opening game to his equally legendary opponent, losing out in a nail-biting tiebreak, but from the 2nd game onwards Palmer upped the pace and dominated the game. Nicol, 1-time World Champion and 2-times British Open Champion, was unable to find an answer and lost 10-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-7 to the powerful play of the only recently retired Aussie.

Englishman Simon Parke secured 3rd place, beating Scot Martin Heath in a 3rd/4th play-off match best-of-3: 11-9, 9-11, 11-9.

Final:
[1] David Palmer (AUS) bt [3] Peter Nicol (ENG) 10-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-7

Third place play-off:
[4] Simon Parke (ENG) bt Martin Heath (SCO) 11-9, 9-11, 11-9

Semi-finals:
[1] David Palmer (AUS) bt [4] Simon Parke (ENG) 11-6, 11-8, 11-9
[3] Peter Nicol (ENG) bt Martin Heath (SCO) 11-7, 6-11, 11-4, 11-7

5th – 8th place play-offs:
Lee Beachill (ENG) bt Derek Ryan (IRL) 9-11, 11-9, 11-8
[2] John White (SCO) bt Tim Garner (ENG) 11-6, 11-9

1st round:
[1] David Palmer (AUS) bt Derek Ryan (IRL) 11-7, 11-8, 11-10
[4] Simon Parke (ENG) bt Lee Beachill (ENG) 10-11, 11-6, 11-10, 10-11, 11-5
[3] Peter Nicol (ENG) bt Tim Garner (ENG) 11-6, 11-10, 7-11, 11-5
Martin Heath (SCO) bt [2] John White (SCO) 9-11, 11-10, 2-11, 11-6, 11-8


Serme and Tuominen take European titles!

Upsets in both finals of the European Individual Championships in Finland led to Olli Tuominen (le) and Camille Serme winning the titles for the 1st time – local hero Tuominen delighting the crowd at the Talihalli in Helsinki by becoming the 1st Finn to put his name on the men's trophy and Serme by stopping Dutch favourite Natalie Grinham from claiming the women's crown for the 3rd time in 4 years.

Tuominen, the 33-year old world No23 from Helsinki, drove the home crowd wild by beating No2 seed Borja Golan (ri) of Spain 11-8, 11-9, 11-3 in the men's final.

The women's final was a replay of the 2011 climax – but this time Camille Serme reversed the result against the experienced Natalie Grinham, as the 23-year old of France came back strong from 1 game down to beat the 11-years-elder Dutch-women 8-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-9 to take her 1st title.

Men – Final:
[3/4] Olli Tuominen (FIN) bt [2] Borja Golan (ESP) 11-8, 11-9, 11-3

Third place play-off:
[1] Simon Rosner (GER) bt [5/8] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) 6-11, 11-7, 13-11, 11-7

Semi-finals:
[2] Borja Golan (ESP) bt [5/8] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) 11-8, 11-9, 11-4
[3/4] Olli Tuominen (FIN) bt [1] Simon Rosner (GER) 11-9, 6-11, 11-3, 11-4

Quarter-finals:
[2] Borja Golan (ESP) bt [5/8] Henrik Mustonen (FIN) 11-1, 11-5, 11-7
[5/8] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) bt [3/4] Nicolas Mueller (SUI) 11-3, 7-11, 11-6, 11-4
[3/4] Olli Tuominen (FIN) bt [5/8] Julien Balbo (FRA) 11-7, 11-9, 11-8
[1] Simon Rosner (GER) bt [5/8] Gregoire Marche (FRA) 8-11, 8-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-4

Women – Final:
[2] Camille Serme (FRA) bt [1] Natalie Grinham (NED) 8-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-9

Third place play-off:
[3/4] Lucie Fialova (CZE) bt [3/4] Gaby Huber (SUI) 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 10-12, 11-7

Semi-finals:
[2] Camille Serme (FRA) bt [3/4] Gaby Huber (SUI) 11-4, 11-7, 11-6
[1] Natalie Grinham (NED) bt [3/4] Lucie Fialova (CZE) 11-7, 11-4, 11-6

Quarter-finals:
[2] Camille Serme (FRA) bt [9/16] Maud Duplomb (FRA) 11-2, 11-3, 11-1
[3/4] Gaby Huber (SUI) bt [5/8] Orla Noom (NED) 5-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-2
[3/4] Lucie Fialova (CZE) bt [9/16] Laura Pomportes (FRA) 11-4, 11-4, 11-7
[1] Natalie Grinham (NED) bt [5/8] Coline Aumard (FRA) 11-6, 11-4, 11-6


Chinappa takes Chennai Open title!

World No 71 and 2nd seed Joshna Chinappa (le) of India claimed her 1st ever WSA title on home soil, when she came from 1 game down to beat 3rd seed English-women Sarah Jane Perry (ri) 9-11, 11-4, 11-8, 12-10 in the final of the Chennai Open. For former Indian number one, it was the 6th WSA title in her career.

Final:
[2] Joshna Chinappa (IND) bt [3] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) 9-11, 11-4, 11-8, 12-10 (47m)

Semi-finals:
[3] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt Anaka Alankamony (IND) 8-11, 11-5, 6-11, 14-12, 11-6 (69m)
[2] Joshna Chinappa (IND) bt [5] Salma Hany Ibrahim Ahmed (EGY) 13-11, 11-4, 11-8 (30m)

Quarter-finals:
Anaka Alankamony (IND) bt [1] Siti Munirah Jusoh (MAS) 4-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 11-4 (63m)
[3] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt [8] Victoria Bell (ENG) 8-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-4 (38m)
[5] Salma Hany Ibrahim Ahmed (EGY) bt [4] Pushppa Devi (MAS) 7-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-8 (37m)
[2] Joshna Chinappa (IND) bt [6] Carrie Ramsey (ENG) 11-7, 11-8, 11-6

1st round:
[1] Siti Munirah Jusoh (MAS) bt [Q] Saai Meera (IND) 11-4, 11-1, 12-10
Anaka Alankamony (IND) bt [7] Zulhijjah Binti Azan (MAS) 9-11, 11-0, 11-5, 4-11, 11-8
[3] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt Jessica Turnbull (AUS) 11-4, 11-2, 11-6
[8] Victoria Bell (ENG) bt [Q] Lakshya Ragavendran (IND) 11-8, 11-3, 11-6
[5] Salma Hany Ibrahim Ahmed (EGY) bt [Q] Mariam Ibrahim Metwally (EGY) 11-6, 6-11, 14-12, 10-12, 11-5
[4] Pushppa Devi (MAS) bt Harshit Kaur Jawanda (IND) 11-8, 12-10, 12-10
[6] Carrie Ramsey (ENG) bt [Q] Ashita Bhengra (IND) 11-5, 11-0, 11-2
[2] Joshna Chinappa (IND) bt Nouran Ahmed Gohar (EGY) 11-8, 11-9, 5-11, 11-7


European Individuals suffering from absence of stars!

After this year’s lack of stars as no European player out of the world’s top 18, Germany’s Simon Rosner was top seeded. But in the semi-finals pushed Finnish home hopes as Olli Tuominen (pic) beat Rosner 11-9, 6-11, 11-3, 11-4 to reach the final. His opponent will be the Spaniard Borja Golan who overcame Frenchman Mathieu Castagnet in straight games 11-8, 11-9, 11-4.

The women’s final is a repeat of last year. Titleholder Natalie Grinham (NED) will face French Camille Serme. Both eased into the final as they beat their opponents Gaby Huber (SUI) and Lucie Fialova (CZE) without any problems in straight games.


Matthew Tops PSA World Series Standings

A blistering victory in Sunday's final of the Allam British Open has taken Nick Matthew (ri) back to the top of the 2012 Dunlop PSA World Series Standings.

The 31-year-old Englishman ended a run of 4 successive defeats by Ramy Ashour to overcome his Egyptian rival in straight games before a sell-out crowd at the O2 Arena in London.

The triumph in the 4th PSA World Series event of the year makes Matthew the 1st Englishman to claim a hat-trick of titles in the 82-history of the world’s most famous squash tournament.

Matthew, winner of the first World Series event of the year at the JP Morgan Tournament of Champions in New York in January, moves ahead of fellow Englishman James Willstrop by just 10 points.

Willstrop, the world No1 and winner of the Davenport North American Open in February, fell to Ashour in the British Open semi-finals.

But Ashour, who also beat Willstrop in last month’s final of the El Gouna International Open in Egypt, strengthens his grip on 3rd place in the latest standings – 100 points ahead of 4th-placed Frenchman Greg Gaultier.

The top eight players in the list at the end of the year qualify for a place in the 2012 ATCO PSA World Series Finals in London early next year.

Latest 2012 PSA World Series Standings:

Position (Prev)
1 2 Nick Matthew (ENG) 280
2 1 James Willstrop (ENG) 270
3 3 Ramy Ashour (EGY) 230
4 4 Gregory Gaultier (FRA) 130
5 6 Amr Shabana (EGY) 90
6= 5 Karim Darwish (EGY) 75
6= 8 Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) 75
8= 7 Simon Rosner (GER) 65
8= 19 Peter Barker (ENG) 65
10= 9 Adrian Grant (ENG) 60
10= 14 Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) 60
12= 11 Daryl Selby (ENG) 50
12= 11 Cameron Pilley (AUS) 50
14= 9 Hisham Mohd Ashour (EGY) 45
14= 14 Marwan El Shorbagy (EGY) 45
14= 14 Nicolas Mueller (SUI) 45