Paul Coll back on top of squash world rankings

New Zealand’s Paul Coll has reclaimed the men’s world No.1 squash ranking for the first time since May following the release of the PSA World Rankings.

Paul Coll is No.1 again.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Coll, 30, overtakes Ali Farag after the Egyptian had his points for the 2021 Oracle NetSuite Open expire, meaning Coll’s ranking points are now higher than Farag’s.

Coll did have an opportunity to take the No 1 place a week earlier when he went up against Farag in the final of the Egyptian Open on September 25, but Farag put in an accomplished display in front of the Great Pyramid of Giza to take the title over Coll in four games in the final.

Coll is guaranteed to hold onto the top ranking until October 17, at which point Farag can retake top spot if he betters Coll’s results at the upcoming U.S. Open, which takes place between October 8-15 at Philadelphia’s Arlen Specter US Squash Center.

The rest of the top five features Egypt’s Mostafa Asal, Peru’s Diego Elias and England’s Mohamed ElShorbagy.

In the PSA Women’s World Rankings, Egypt’s Nouran Gohar stays at No 1 for a 27th successive week ahead of fellow Egyptians Hania El Hammamy and Nouran Gohar, with USA’s Amanda Sobhy and New Zealand’s Joelle King taking the final spots inside the top five.

Further down the ranking order the second best New Zealand woman is Kaitlyn Watts at 96 followed by Abbie Palmer at joint 158. Lwamba Chileshe is 91st, one off his career high with younger brother Temwa 128.

Both Watts and Chileshe have been awarded wildcards to the PSA Silver tournament, the New Zealand Open in Tauranga next month which is headed by both Coll and King.