12:46 am
8 Dec 2024

Massaro Denies Wagih's World Dream

21 Dec 2012

Laura Massaro's sensational five-game upset over Egypt's No2 seed Raneem El Weleily in the semi-finals of the Cayman Islands WSA World Open not only sees the English woman reach the world final for the first time but also denies Egypt's national coach Amir Wagih the dream of having all the world squash titles in Egyptian hands.

Avenging her defeat by El Weleily in last month's WSF Women's World Team Championship final in France - where Egypt went on to take the title - world No3 Massaro overcame the world No2 5-11, 11-9, 12-14, 11-4, 13-11 in 69 minutes.

Massaro will now face favourite and record six-time champion Nicol David in the final.

The Malaysian dismissed surprise semi-finalist Jenny Duncalf, the sixth seed from England, 11-7, 11-4, 11-2 in 37 minutes in the other semi-final.

It was after Egypt's upset over England in the world team final in Nimes that the jubilant team coach Wagih said: "My players have now won all the world titles except one - and that is the women's World Open title.

"So I am hoping that I can complete the set at the end of the year in the Cayman Islands."

Massaro is celebrating the 21st WSA Tour final of her career, while David is notching up her 82nd - and looking to extend her record to a seventh world title since 2005.

Semi-finals:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [6] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) 11-7, 11-4, 11-2 (37m)
[3] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt [2] Raneem El Weleily (EGY) 5-11, 11-9, 12-14, 11-4, 13-11 (69m)