Reigning champ looking relaxed as she sets up Kippax showdown
By SCARLETT SMITH – Squash Reporter
England’s Laura Massaro looks in strong form as she secured her place in the quarter finals of the Allam British Open Squash Championships this evening.
Massaro overcame Hong Kong’s number one Annie Au in straight games as she looks to retain the title she won last year.
In March the Lancastrian became the first ever British woman to hold both the World and British Open titles at the same time.
Speaking afterwards the 30-year-old said: “To say I’m chuffed to get through is an understatement. Although I can get quite fiery, I was even more fired up tonight. I really wanted to win and I had to be at the top of my game as Annie is such a talented player.
“It’s really great to play in front of a home crowd as they really get behind you. Of course I’d like to win another one but I’m taking each round as it comes,” added Massaro.
Elsewhere, it was also a good night for Cheshire’s Sarah Kippax as she reached her first ever WSA World Series quarter final after an epic 3-2 win over Guyanian Nicolette Fernandes.
The 31-year-old found herself 2-1 down in the match which lasted an incredible 84 minutes in total, but fought back to win a nerve wrecking fifth game 12/10.
Speaking afterwards the delighted Kippax said: “It was a long one! The first game seemed to go on forever but it was a truly great match. It’s my first ever quarter final of a World Series event so I’m thrilled.
“It’s even nicer to play well in your home country. My sister and dad are both here as well as my husband so I’m just pleased to do well in front of them too.”
Kippax will now face her England teammate Laura Massaro on Friday at Hull’s Sports Arena.
Women’s Round Two
[7] Low Wee Wern (Mas) bt Emma Beddoes (Eng) 11/9, 11/9, 6/11, 6/11, 11/9 (76m)
[3] Raneem El Weleily (Egy) bt [14] Kasey Brown (Aus) 11/5, 11/6, 11/3 (20m)
Sarah Kippax (Eng) bt Nicollette Fernandes (Guy) 15/17, 11/7, 13/15, 11/3, 12/10 (84m)
[2] Laura Massaro (Eng) bt [9] Annie Au (HKG) 11/7, 11/4 11/6 (31m)
Men’s Round Two
[Q] Mathieu Castagnet (Fra) bt Adrian Grant (Eng) 7/11, 11/7, 6/11, 11/9, 11/6 (90m)
[4] Mohamed El Shorbagy (Egy) bt Tarek Momen (Egy) 11/2, 11/3, 11/9 (50m)
[1] Nick Matthew (Eng) v Daryl Selby (Eng) still to play
[8] Karim Darwish (Egy) v [Q] Fares Dessouki still to play