Malaysia's Nicol David begins her fifth year – and her 42nd consecutive month – as world number one, according to the January 2010 Women's World Squash Rankings, published today (Wednesday) by the Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA).

The 26-year-old from Penang first took over the top spot in January 2006 – then began her current uninterrupted world number one run in August 2006.  Despite suffering four shock defeats in 2009, Nicol David secured seven WISPA World Tour titles in the year, as well as her second World Games gold medal.  

In September, in her training base of Amsterdam, David retained her World Open title – not only notching up the 40th Tour title of her career, but also becoming only the third player in history to win the sport's premier title four times.

World Open runner-up Natalie Grinham, from the Netherlands, squeezes past Jenny Duncalf to reclaim second place in the list, while the English player slips to three, ahead of fourth-placed Rachael Grinham, of Australia, and USA's Natalie Grainger at five.

Australia's Kasey Brown moves up a single place to celebrate her debut in the world top 10 – while France's 20-year-old Camille Serme continues her relentless rise up the rankings to mark a career-high No12 position.

Also celebrating a best-ever ranking in the New Year is Samantha Teran, the 28-year-old from Mexico City who consolidates her status as the most successful Mexican woman ever by reaching No14.

January top 20 (inc. points average):

1    [1]    Nicol David    MAS    2692
2    [3]    Natalie Grinham    NED    1469
3    [2]    Jenny Duncalf    ENG    1460
4    [4]    Rachael Grinham    AUS    1446
5    [5]    Natalie Grainger    USA    1258
6    [6]    Alison Waters    ENG    1256
7    [7]    Omneya Abdel Kawy    EGY    1003
8    [8]    Madeline Perry    IRL    959
9    [9]    Laura Massaro    ENG    908
10    [11]    Kasey Brown    AUS    505
11    [10]    Vanessa Atkinson    NED    505
12    [13]    Camille Serme    FRA    504
13    [14]    Engy Kheirallah    EGY    475
14    [15]    Samantha Teran    MEX    457
15    [16]    Annie Au    HKG    456
16    [12]    Shelley Kitchen    NZL    451
17    [17]    Jaclyn Hawkes    NZL    423
18    [19]    Isabelle Stoehr    FRA    419
19    [20]    Rebecca Chiu    HKG    417
20    [18]    Tania Bailey    ENG    395

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