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Massaro: Too strong for Gohar

Hong Kong Update: Massaro Into Last 4

World No.2 Laura Massaro showed her experience and resilience to overcome hard-hitting World Junior Champion Nouran Gohar to reach the semi-finals of the 2015 Hong Kong Open as she seeks a third consecutive PSA World Series title.

Massaro triumphed at both the U.S. Open and Qatar Classic prior to making the trip to the Far East and she continued her dazzling run of form, which now extends to 13 matches unbeaten, as she countered the talented Egyptian to come through a tough four-game battle.

Massaro took the first game but soon saw her advantage wiped off as Gohar increased her precision and pace to take the second and she continued in the ascendency in the early stages of the third. But Massaro’s experience came to the fore as she mixed up the tempo, frustrating the 19-year-old, to take the third before hammering home her advantage to take the match 11-5, 6-11, 11-8, 11-6.

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“She’s a very aggressive player and a great striker of the ball so I knew it would be tough, but we’ve played a few times already this year and it feels like I have momentum on her at the moment,” said Massaro.

“The third game today was really important. I think she had me a bit flustered at that point but it was experience that made the difference there. She was on a roll so it was crucial to take it – it was a bit scrappy at stages but I’m very happy to get the win.”

Massaro will now face World No.1 Raneem El Welily for a place in the final in a match up that could have huge ramifications at the top of the world rankings come January 1.

“I’m hoping for a good match tomorrow and I know it will be tough because she’s the No.1,” added the 32-year-old.

“We haven’t played since June and I’ve been on a good run lately and she’s maybe not been at her best so I’m excited. Personally the pressure is off. Obviously I want to win but I want to play pressure free because I’ve come into this event with two great wins in Qatar and US Open.

“I have been closing the gap (on No.1 spot) over the season and I fee like I’m on a mission right now. I’m on a roll and my game is heading the way I want to but to be No.1 you have to beat the No.1 so if it doesn’t happen tomorrow then I feel like it will come soon. I maybe haven’t been able to say that at any point before so that’s a nice position to be in.”

Result
[3] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt [6] Nouran Gohar (EGY) 3-1: 11-5, 6-11, 11-8, 11-6 (43m)

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