Islamabad
Egypt’s Ali Farag would start the 2021-22 season as the men’s World No.1 after he overtook compatriot Mohamed ElShorbagy to claim top spot following the release of the men’s PSA World Rankings on Wednesday (September 1).
Farag saw his nine-month reign at World No.1 come to an end last month when ElShorbagy retook the World No.1 spot, but ElShorbagy’s semi-final exit at the Allam British Open – combined with Farag’s run to the final in Hull – has seen the ranking change hands once again, with Farag set to enjoy a 21st month atop the rankings.
British Open champion Paul Coll has followed his first major title win with a rise into the top three for the first time in his career – meaning he is the highest ranked male Kiwi since Ross Norman, who reached No.2 in March, 1987.
Coll beat Farag in August’s British Open men’s final to become the first male Kiwi to lift the prestigious trophy. Coll’s rise to No.3 sees Tarek Momen drop to No.4, while Marwan ElShorbagy completes the top five. The rest of the top 10 is unchanged, with Karim Abdel Gawad (No.6), Fares Dessouky (No.7), Diego Elias (No.8), Mostafa Asal (No.9) and Joel Makin (No.10) all holding onto their positions. Colombia’s Miguel Rodriguez stays at No.11 ahead of Frenchman Gregoire Marche in No.12, who rises one place to a career-high ranking.—APP
