Australians Michelle Martin and Sarah Fitz-Gerald maintain their lead at one and two, respectively, in the May women's world squash rankings, announced today (4th May) by the Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA) - while England's Cassie Jackman moves up to three, overtaking compatriot Sue Wright who drops to six.

Michelle Martin begins her 51st month as the world's No1 player two days after celebrating her 32nd birthday. The six-times British Open champion from Sydney clamed the first Grand Prix title of the year when she won the Citroen Classic in Germany last month. She then successfully defended her World Grand Prix Finals title, beating compatriot Carol Owens in the final in Hurghada, Egypt, to clinch her 50th title on the WISPA World Tour.

Jackman, 26, from Norfolk, improved her world ranking after reaching the final of the Citroen Classic - whilst a flu virus, which led to an ear infection, resulted in Sue Wright having to withdraw from both the German Grand Prix and the Grand Prix finals in Egypt.

A semi-final berth in Germany, and victories in both the Evergreen Open and Art of Squash in the USA, have led New Zealand's Leilani Joyce to a career-high world No5 in the new list, behind England's Suzanne Horner who moves up to four.

World champion and former world No1 Sarah Fitz-Gerald, who was forced to retire from the Hurghada event after a recurrence of a knee injury, has now returned to her home city of Melbourne to seek further treatment on the knee which was operated on last December.

Career-best top 20 positions are achieved by Netherlands' Vanessa Atkinson who rises to 17, and England's Stephanie Brind and Jenny Tranfield, who move to 13 and 16, respectively.

1 [1] Michelle Martin AUS
2 [2] Sarah Fitz-Gerald AUS
3 [4] Cassie Jackman ENG
4 [5] Suzanne Horner ENG
5 [6] Leilani Joyce NZL
6 [3] Sue Wright ENG
7 [7] Natalie Grainger RSA
8 [8] Sabine Schoene GER
9 [10] Linda Charman ENG
10 [9] Carol Owens AUS
11 [11] Fiona Geaves ENG
12 [13] Rebecca Macree ENG
13 [15] Stephanie Brind ENG
14 [16] Claire Nitch RSA
15 [12] Jane Martin ENG
16 [17] Jenny Tranfield ENG
17 [18] Vanessa Atkinson NED
18 [14] Liz Irving AUS
19 [19] Rachael Grinham AUS
20 [20] Kate Major AUS

Issued on behalf of WISPA by Howard Harding

For further information: Howard Harding Email: HowHard@aol.com

4 May 1999