England-based Fernandes climbed one place up from the No.36 position she held in October. She is the highest-ranked Caribbean player ever in world squash.

Malaysia's Nicol David remains World No.1 ahead of Vanessa Atkinson of the Netherlands, with the Australians Rachael Grinham and Natalie Grinham at third and fourth, respectively.

The 23-year-old Fernandes is competing this week at the US$112 500 World Open in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Fernandes had surged into the world's Top-50 late last year after a series of good international results and was Guyana's 2005 Sportswoman-of-the-Year.

She is a six-time Caribbean junior age-group champion and copped her first Caribbean senior title last year in Trinidad.

As a junior, she had won three Caribbean Under-19 titles, one Under-15 crown, and two Under-13 titles.

Late last month she contested the Hong Kong Open where she lost in straight games to England’s World No.8 Jenny Duncalf in the first round of the main draw.

After easily winning her qualifying match to get into the main draw of the US$87 500 event at the Hong Kong Squash Centre, Fernandes tackled the No.6 seed Duncalf, who won the match 9-3, 9-0, 9-7.

At the World Open this week at the Belfast Boat Club & Ulster Hall, Fernandes easily booked her spot in the main draw after whipping Margriet Huisman, of the Netherlands 9-1, 9-0, 9-6 in just 29 minutes.

Women's World Squash Rankings (November)

1. Nicol David (MAS)

2. Vanessa Atkinson (NED)

3. Rachael Grinham (AUS)

4. Natalie Grinham (AUS)

5. Vicky Botwright (ENG)

6. Tania Bailey (ENG)

7. Madeline Perry (IRL)

8. Jenny Duncalf (ENG)

9. Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY)

10. Alison Waters (ENG)