Kaitaia's squash-playing star Shelley Kitchen has bounced into the world's top 10.
The 27-year-old has been on the fringes for a number of years, coming close in 2005 when she was poised at No.11.
Kitchen, a Commonwealth Games silver medallist, was last month ranked 13th on the WISPA international world list. Yesterday's
rankings shows she had clawed back three places after winning the Australian Open in July. In a text message home to her sister Trina Moore, Kitchen expressed surprise in her new ranking.
The text read: "I didnt thnk id make it."
Mrs Moore, who acts as a manager for her sister, said the No.10 ranking was a milestone and some favourable draws had helped climb the ladder, along with some top results.
"Shelley has been meeting Nichol David, the world No.1, in the first round of a few of the tournaments. It's pretty hard to get past her and have a go at the others but Shelley has made the quarterfinals in four of the major world tournaments this season," Moore said.
"She has been on the fringes for so long and this is a big milestone and achievement."
After the Aussie win, Kitchen had a disappointing start in the Malaysian open last week when she was knocked out in the first round losing to England's Jenny Duncalf in 34 minutes.
Last night, Kitchen went down to world No.4 England's Tania Bailey 9-5, 9-0, 9-0 in the first round of the Singapore Open.
Bailey is in form having made the final of the Malaysian Open before losing to Nichol David.
"She's beaten all the girl's in the top 10 over the years so it just depends on the day how things go," Mrs Moore said.
Kitchen is scheduled to train in Australia following this week's tournament before heading home to Northland.
When she returns she will bring Irish player Madeline Perry, who is ranked eighth in the world, to Northland.
Perry has been ranked as high as No.6.
An exhibition match is scheduled to be played in Kaitaia, with the date yet to be fixed.
