Nicol David Hits New World Ranking Heights

Malaysia's Nicol David marks another significant milestone in her illustrious career by celebrating her 58th month as world number one in the new February Women's World Squash Rankings published today by the Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA) - equalling Australian Michelle Martin's status as the player with the second-longest world number one reign of all-time.

Undefeated throughout 2010, David first topped the rankings in January 2006. After dropping to second place for just four months, the 27-year-old from Penang reclaimed the top spot in August of the same year - and has held it unopposed since then.

Michelle Martin, a six-time British Open and three-time World Open champion, first topped the rankings in March 1993 in a reign which ended in December 1999.

But it is New Zealand's Susan Devoy who has the ultimate record to beat: 105 months in pole position between April 1984 and February 1993.

England's Jenny Duncalf continues to shadow David in second place in the February list, ahead of fellow countrywoman Alison Waters at three, Egypt's Omneya Abdel Kawy in fourth place, and Australia's Rachael Grinham at No5.

But celebrating a first time at No6 is Australia's Kasey Brown. The only triple medallist in the sport at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, Brown made a great start to the New Year by winning the biggest Tour title of her career at the Harrow Greenwich Open in the USA, where she was seeded four.

And the sport's latest teen sensation Amanda Sobhy also reaches an all-time high by making the fringe of the top 20 at number 21. The 17-year-old world junior champion from the USA claimed one of the biggest scalps of her life in Greenwich by beating former world No2 Natalie Grinham to reach the semi-finals as a qualifier - then defeated Kasey Brown this week in Cleveland to make the quarter-finals of the Cleveland WISPA Classic.

February top 20 (inc. points average):

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