Squash

Massaro into World Championship final

ESPN staff

March 22, 2014

Laura Massaro proved too strong for her Egyptian opponent © Getty Images

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England's Laura Massaro is into the squash World Championship final after beating Raneem El Weleily in Malaysia.

Preston-born Massaro survived a late rally from the third seed to win 11-9 11-7 6-11 11-7.

The 29-year-old now has the opportunity to become England's first female squash world champion since Cassie Campion in 1999, as well as matching compatriot Nick Matthew's world title in the men's game in November.

Massaro will face unseeded teenager Nour El Sherbini - who stunned the squash world with a 4-11 11-9 11-6 2-11 11-9 over defending champion Nicol David.

Malaysian David, playing at her home club in Penang, has won seven of the last eight World Championships - her only defeat coming in the second round during the 2007 edition.

"Sherbini has just been on a roll throughout this tournament, and today everything worked out for her," said David after her first defeat in 10 months.

"Everybody plays their best squash with me, and today Sherbini played her best squash. I did my best, but it was just not my day today and fair play to Sherbini, she deserved that win.

"You never want to lose anywhere, and I obviously wanted to do well in front of my home crowd. It was disappointing, but I will learn from this defeat and wish both finalists the best."

Sherbini, who was already the youngest semi-finalist in the history of the championship, added: "I have never beaten David before, never even taken a game off her, so I told myself that I would just go out there and do my best.

"But I never expected to get this victory - I'm still astounded how I achieved it."