WORLD SQUASH NEWS

Natalie Joins Sister Rachael In World Top Four

Australia's Grinham sisters continue to excel on the world's squash stage as the younger Natalie moves up to number four behind Rachael at one in the new October Women's World Squash Rankings, announced today (4 October) by the Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA).

The Toowoomba twosome from Queensland led Australia to success in last week's Women's World Team Championships in the Netherlands as Australia beat England 2/0 in the final to clinch the title for the eighth time.

Earlier, Rachael strengthened her grip on the world No1 ranking by winning the Bahrain WISPA Classic, beating world No2 Cassie Jackman, from England, in the final.

Natalie reached the semi-finals in Bahrain, before which she lifted the titles in the Queensland Open in August and Dutch Open in May.

Vanessa Atkinson, from the Netherlands, is at No3, with USA's Natalie Grainger dropping one place to five.

This week's Atlanta Masters marks Grainger's return to competitive action after a period of recuperation.  "At the end of February this year I had reached exhaustion point and really needed to take care of my health.  With some rest and recovery and a consolidated training period, I feel refreshed and ready to return to competition.  I am really excited about rejoining the WISPA tour in Atlanta this month," said the 27-year-old from Washington.

Egypt's world junior champion Omneya Abdel Kawy returns to the top ten to at number ten.


1 [1] Rachael Grinham AUS
2 [2] Cassie Jackman ENG
3 [3] Vanessa Atkinson NED
4 [5] Natalie Grinham AUS
5 [4] Natalie Grainger USA
6 [6] Linda Elriani ENG
7 [7] Fiona Geaves ENG
8 [8] Nicol David MAS
9 [9] Rebecca Macree ENG
10 [11] Omneya Abdel Kawy EGY
11 [12] Jenny Duncalf ENG
12 [10] Jenny Tranfield ENG
13 [13] Vicky Botwright ENG
14 [14] Shelley Kitchen NZL
15 [15] Isabelle Stoehr FRA
16 [16] Madeline Perry IRL
17 [17] Rebecca Chiu HKG
18 [19] Tania Bailey ENG
19 [18] Stephanie Brind ENG
20 [20] Pamela Nimmo SCO


For the complete WISPA ranking list, see www.wispa.net