Massaro Hunger Returns After British Open First Round Win by Scarlett Smith
photo squashpics.com
May 12, 2015 -
Laura Massaro made a return to competitive squash at the Allam British
Open today as she beat India’s Joshna Chinappa 13/11, 11/13, 11/8, 11/7
in her first round match.
Speaking afterwards at the Airco Arena in Hull Massaro said she felt
‘hungry to be on court again’ after taking a break from the sport due
to mental fatigue.
After taking a close first game the Lancastrian lost out in the tie
break in the second as the Indian No.2 drew level. Massaro
stepped out stronger in the third and fourth, pinning her opponent to
the back corners with some hard-hitting, forcing Chinappa into errors
to take a deserved win.
The 31 year old former World Champion commented: “Obviously I was a
little bit nervous coming in because of the lack of competitive squash
I’ve played. Maybe more so because I don’t really know exactly how I’m
playing and what to expect. I know that I feel hungry again to be
on court and that’s exciting.
“Before my break I didn’t feel like the normal me but now I feel back
to my usual self which was what the break was designed to do. I
don’t think as a professional athlete you can ever go in and think I’m
so lucky to be here because you want to win all the time – that does
bring nerves and expectation by other people.
Although I want to enjoy it more there’s still a bit of pressure to achieve,” added Massaro.
World No.1 Nicol David survived a mini scare from the up and coming
Tesni Evans who managed to snatch a game from the five time British
Open champion.
“Tesni has had some great results recently, once she got used to the
glass court she was a tough opponent, so I’m pleased to get through in
four games in the end. It’s fantastic to be back in Hull especially
with the support of Dr. Allam who has committed to equal prize money by
2017,” said David.
The biggest upset in the women’s draw came from Malaysian qualifier
Delia Arnold who beat the number five seed Alison Waters in straight
games 11/8, 11/5, 11/4 to reach the last 16 of a World Series event for
the first time.
In the men’s draw defending champion Gregory Gaultier had a relatively
straight forward 11/6, 11/6, 15/13 win against Malaysia’s Nafiizwan
Adnan.
In the all English battle Tom Richards beat Daryl Selby 12/10, 9/11, 11/1, 11/5.
