Laura Massaro makes third major final this season
By NATHAN CLARKE in Doha
England’s World No.3 Laura Massaro will go head-to-head with three-time World Junior Champion and World No.8 Nour El Sherbini in the final of the 2015 Qatar Classic tomorrow (Nov 6) in what promises to be a blockbuster encounter between two of the most in-form players on the PSA World Tour.
The 2013 World Champion Massaro, who defeated El Sherbini to lift that prestigious title in Penang, came into the tournament at the Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex in the form of her life having already collected two titles, including the Delaware Investments U.S. Open, so far this season while El Sherbini tasted success at the Carol Weymuller Open in September.
Massaro will now be gunning for a second consecutive PSA World Series title to extend her lead at the top of the PSA Road To Dubai standings, but she will have her work cut out against the 20-year-old Egyptian, who downed legendary Nicol David in a gripping 59-minute semi-final.
“I can’t believe that I won that match,” said an elated El Sherbini (below). “Nicol is one of the best players ever, she’s a legend and there will never be someone like her again.
“But I kept telling myself to keep pushing and keep attacking until the end and just give everything today and it’s amazing to be in the final – I’m really happy.
“At the end I was really tired but the support of the crowd was amazing and gave me confidence. I felt like I was playing in Egypt not Qatar, and that support is everything and I think that’s the reason I won today- but I’m not finished yet.
“There’s still one more match to go.”
Massaro booked her place in the showpiece event after comfortably dispatching Egyptian world No.6 Omneya Abdel Kawy in an assured straight games triumph.
“I’ve started the season really well and can’t believe how good I’ve been playing,” said Massaro.
“I’ve made three finals and won two tournaments so I’m feeling confident at the moment – every final is a big day and my goal is obviously to win big titles so I’m looking forward to it.
“I’m really happy to make another final and even happier that I managed to get off 3-0. I was expecting a tough match after our semi-final in Philadelphia but I think she made a lot of unforced errors and wasn’t at her best, but the most important thing is getting two feet into the final and I’ll do that whatever way I have to.”
One key factor could be that Massaro got through her semi-final in just 25 minutes, less than half the time El Sherbini took to down her redoubtable opponent.
2015 Qatar Classic – PSA World Series.
Women’s Semi-finals:
[4] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt [5] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) 3-0: 11-7, 11-4, 11-6 (25m)
[6] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt [2] Nicol David (MAS) 3-2:11-6, 10-12, 5-11, 11-4, 11-9 (59m)
Women’s Final:
[4] Laura Massaro (ENG) v [6] Nour El Sherbini (EGY)
Pictures by STEVE LINE (www.squashpics.com)