By ALAN THATCHER (Squash Mad Editor)

England’s Patrick Rooney has returned to the world top 20 today in the latest PSA rankings.

The talented 25-year-old Merseysider, who now lives in Manchester, has climbed three places in the latest PSA rankings, which are now issued on a weekly basis.

Rooney joins fellow England player Mohamed ElShorbagy in the top 20, with ElShorbagy climbing above Diego Elias to return to No.4 after winning the QTerminals Qatar Classic.

After finishing runner-up in Qatar, Frenchman Victor Crouin has moved up seven places in the World Rankings from 18 to a career-high No.11, and moves above Gregoire Marche to become the French No.1 for the first time in his career. They are seeded to meet in the semi-finals of this week’s Open de France which began today in Nantes.

There was much speculation that Paul Coll would be returning to the number one position, but Ali Farag remains on top. Both players made an early exit in Qatar.

In the women’s rankings, Egypt’s Nour El Tayeb is back to world No.6 for the first time since her return to the game.

Following the birth of her baby daughter, the Egyptian has come back to the sport with a bang, winning her first title, the CIB Zed Open, since her return last month.

She made the final of the South Western Women’s Open in Houston this week, finishing runner-up to world No.1 Nouran Gohar, but wins over Georgina Kennedy and Amanda Sobhy have pushed her up two places in this week’s world rankings.

Another to feature in Houston was Emily Whitlock, and thanks to her quarter-final appearance at the Gold level competition she has moved up five places to go back inside the top 20 at No.18. She also moves ahead of Tesni Evans (now 20) to become the Welsh No.1.

PSA World Rankings Monday September 12, 2022.

Pictures courtesy of PSA World Tour