Battle for World No.1: Farag and Elias

20 June 2023

Once again, there is the possibility of the World No.1 spot changing hands in the men’s World Rankings this week in Cairo, this time with just two contenders.

With the CIB PSA World Tour Finals not being a normal tournament, there are more permutations than if it was just a straight knockout. However, with points awarded for group stage wins, it becomes slightly more complicated.

Ali Farag is the current World No.1, but come Monday, Peru’s Diego Elias could well move back to the summit of the World Rankings for the second time.

If Farag were to win the CIB PSA World Tour Finals, or the Peruvian does not reach the final this week in Cairo, then the Egyptian will remain as the World No.1. Anything other than that, and Elias could return to the summit, but things will have to go his way.

If any of the following happen, then Diego Elias will become World No.1 again:
– Elias wins the World Tour Finals having gone unbeaten AND Farag finishes runner-up, having won two or less group matches
– Elias wins the World Tour Finals having won two group matches AND Farag loses in the semi-finals, having won two or less group matches (at best)
– Elias wins the World Tour Finals having won one group match AND Farag loses in the semi-finals, having only won one group match (at best)
– Elias finishes runner-up having won all three group matches AND Farag only wins one group match
– Elias finishes runner-up having won two group matches AND Farag fails to win any group matches

If any of the following happen, then Ali Farag will remain World No.1:
– Farag wins the World Tour Finals
– Farag finishes runner-up having won all three group matches
– Elias fails to reach the final
– Farag reaches the final OR loses in the semi-final having won all three group matches AND Elias does not win the event whilst going unbeaten
– Farag loses in the semi-finals, having won two group matches AND Elias does not win two or more group matches en route to winning the World Tour Finals
– Farag either loses the semi-finals, having won one group match, OR Farag fails to qualify for the knockout stages, but wins two group matches AND Elias fails to win the World Tour Finals
– Farag fails to qualify for the knockout stages having won one group match AND Elias finishes runner-up, having won two group matches