PARIS: Egypt s Karim Darwish on Thursday became the world s new number one squash player, ending the 33-month reign of illustrious compatriot Amr Shabana.
Darwish, 27, from Cairo, is the 13th player to top the men s world list, but only the second Egyptian.
Former world junior champion Darwish was eighth in the rankings at the start of 2008, but he made his mark by reaching six finals (including the World Open in October) and secured three titles, including his first Super Series crowns in Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Shabana slips to number two, but World Open champion Ramy Ashour remains at three.
New men s world rankings are: 1. Karim Darwish (Egypt), 2. Amr Shabana (Egypt), 3. Ramy Ashour (Egypt), 4. Gregory Gaultier (France), 5. James Willstrop (England), 6. David Palmer (Australia), 7. Thierry Lincou (France), 8. Wael El Hindi (Egypt), 9. Peter Barker (England), 10. Ong Beng Hee (Malaysia). -AFP
