Massaro Survives Scare to Make British Nationals Semis, Matthew Advances on Men's Side by Scarlett Smith February 13, 2015 -
Former world champion Laura Massaro survived a scare from the up and
coming Emily Whitlock to reach the semi finals of the National Squash
Championships in Manchester.
20 year old Whitlock nicked the first game at the National Squash
Centre 13/11 before Massaro crept back to draw level. In the
third game Massaro lead 8-6 before Whitlock used her speed and
precision to take a surprising 2-1 lead.
Massaro regrouped and managed to find her form to recover the next two
games and the match to book her spot in the semi finals with an 11/13,
12/10, 9/11, 11/2, 11/4 victory.
“After I went 2-1 down I just thought you're going to lose here so you
might as well just go for it. So I pushed up the court and really
tried to volley everything, which was a dangerous tactic but it
worked,” Massaro explained.
"I have to remind myself before I go on that I've won this trophy twice
before, I have a World Championship title and I've won the British
Open, so really the pressure is off and anything else is just a bonus.
"It's always tough against Emily as I was coached by her dad for two
years so I feel like they know my weaknesses and I know hers!” added 31
year old Massaro.
Massaro will face Bedfordshire’s Victoria Lust who caused an upset in
the first match of the day with a win over seasoned professional
Madeline Perry.
There was almost a giant killing in the last women’s quarter final with
the relatively unknown Fiona Moverley pushing Sarah-Jane Perry to a
deciding fifth game only to lose out 11/8.
Hull based Moverley said: “I’m proud of my performance, I was so
excited to be out there, my first time on the glass court and my first
time in the quarter finals. I was just looking to enjoy it. It
was a great win yesterday and I was hoping to have a similar
performance which I thought I did by pushing her right to the very end.
“After four years away from the tour I’m looking to challenge again, my
highest ranking was 43 so I want to better that. Hopefully get
into the top 20 or top 10” added Moverley.
Alison Waters is seeded to meet Massaro in the final but had to be in
top form to beat a spirited Jenny Duncalf 12/10, 11/5, 11/9.
In the men’s event Nick Matthew is still on course for a record seventh
national title as he defeated the last remaining Scottish challenger,
Alan Clyne 11/4, 11/6, 11/4.
“Hopefully everyone comes back tomorrow for a nice romantic Valentine’s Day at the squash,” joked Matthew afterwards.
Matthew will face Guernsey’s Chris Simpson after he beat Surrey’s Joe Lee 11/8, 11/3, 11/5.
In the other half of the draw Daryl Selby was pleased to make the semi
final stages after a win against his teammate Tom Richards, “I’m
delighted to win. It’s a pity that James (Willstrop) is missing, but
that doesn’t make it easier for me. I’ll have to be 100% focused,”
Daryl said.
Selby will face Adrian Waller who defeated 23 year old Charles Sharpes 11/3, 11/3 11/6.
The event run in conjunction with Manchester City Council also welcomes
over a thousand of Manchester’s school children to the National Squash
Centre as part of the event’s legacy programme. Children will have the
chance to experience live squash, meet the players and take part in
mini-squash activities.
