Malaysia’s Nicol David celebrates her ninth year as world squash number one this week but her chances of making it a decade of dominance are under severe threat from Raneem El Welily.

The Egyptian won her third title of the year at the Alexandria International at home last month, closing to within 50 points of David.

The Malaysian also went out in the semi-final in Alexandria to Egypt’s Omneya Abdel Kawy.

However, David said her enthusiasm was still strong as she goes for a ninth world title at the end of the year.

“It certainly feels special and I can’t believe that I have been world no.1 for nine years – the time has flown by,” the 31-year-old said in a statement following her 108th consecutive month at the top.

“I think I might only fully comprehend the magnitude of this when I step out of the game... but that’s not going to happen anytime soon.”