Darwish ends Shabana reign at top

Darwish is a former world junior champion

Egypt's Karim Darwish is the new men's world number one, ending the 33-month reign of compatriot Amr Shabana.

Former world junior champion Darwish, 27, was eighth in the rankings at the start of 2008.

But he made his mark by reaching six finals, including the World Open in October, and winning three titles.

Shabana slips to number two with another Egyptian, Ramy Ashour, at three. James Wilstrop is Britain's highest-placed player at number five.

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World rankings:

1. Karim Darwish (Egy)
2. Amr Shabana (Egy)
3. Ramy Ashour (Egy)
4. Gregory Gaultier (Fra)
5. James Willstrop (GB)
6. David Palmer (Aus)
7. Thierry Lincou (Fra)
8. Wael El Hindi (Egy)
9. Peter Barker (GB)
10. Ong Beng Hee (Mal)