Battle for World No.1: Elias, Asal, Farag, & ElShorbagy

25 May 2023

The El Gouna International takes place this week, and depending on the results of the event, one of four men could become World No.1.

Only three of those can be World No.1 on Monday, June 5, with Mostafa Asal then having the possibility of moving back to the summit of the World Rankings a week later, after points from last year’s Necker Mauritius Open come off the average of both Diego Elias and Mohamed ElShorbagy.

Elias is the current World No.1, having made history by becoming the first South American to ever reach the summit of the World Rankings earlier this year. Meanwhile, Ali Farag is in the form of his life, having won the British Open, PSA World Championships and Manchester Open in his last three outings.

Here is what each man needs to be the World No.1 on Monday, June 5.

For Farag to become World No.1 – on Monday, June 5
Farag wins the El Gouna International AND Elias fails to reach the final

For ElShorbagy to become World No.1 – on Monday, June 5
ElShorbagy wins the El Gouna International AND Elias fails to reach the semi-finals

For Elias to remain World No.1 – on Monday, June 5
Elias reaches the final
OR
Elias reaches the semi-finals AND Farag fails to win in El Gouna
OR
Elias reaches the quarter finals AND both ElShorbagy and Farag fail to win

The rankings might not only change on Monday, June 5. They could also change seven days later, as the points from last year’s Necker Mauritius Open will come off. Both Elias and ElShorbagy made the final of the tournament, and they will be the two affected in this four-man battle.

ElShorbagy will lose just five points off his average, but it will be a bigger drop for the Peruvian. He won at the RM Club in Mauritius in 2022, and will lose 105 points off his average, which could see Mostafa Asal re-take the World No.1 spot a week later.

The drop in Elias’ points could also see both four-time World Champion Ali Farag and 2017 World Champion Mohamed ElShorbagy re-take the World No.1 spot on Monday, June 12.

For Asal to become World No.1 – on Monday, June 12
Asal wins the El Gouna International AND Elias fails to reach the semi-finals AND both ElShorbagy and Farag fail to reach the final

For ElShorbagy to become World No.1 – on Monday, June 12
ElShorbagy wins the El Gouna International
OR
ElShorbagy finishes runner-up AND Asal fails to win AND Farag fails to reach the final AND Elias fails to reach the semi-finals

For Farag to become World No.1 – on Monday, June 12
Farag wins the El Gouna International
OR
Farag finishes runner-up in El Gouna AND ElShorbagy and Elias both fail to reach the final

For Elias to remain World No.1 – on Monday, June 12
Elias wins the El Gouna International
OR
Elias finishes runner-up AND both ElShorbagy and Farag fail to win
OR
Elias reaches the semi-finals AND ElShorbagy fails to win AND Farag fails to reach the final
OR
Asal fails to win AND both ElShorbagy and Farag fail to reach the final