By Nick Butler

Laura Massaro will face Nicol David in the Allam British Open final in a repeat of last years showdown ©Allam British OpenA compelling final is on the cards at the Allam British Open in Hull as England's world champion Laura Massaro takes on Malaysian world number one Nicol David in a repeat of last year's showdown.


Last year Massaro beat David 11-4 3-11 12-10 11-7 to become the first home winner of the historic event since Lisa Opie did so 22 years ago in 1991.

In March, the 30-year-old also won the delayed 2013 World Championships in Penang after beating Nour El Sherbini in the final, after the Egyptian player had earlier shocked home favourite David 3-2 at the semi-final stage. 

Massaro continued this rich run of form with a victory over Egypt's world number three Raneem El Weleily 6-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-7 in front of a patriotic home crowd at Hull's Sports Arena.

But David, chasing a fifth British Open title, will be seeking revenge after she overcame another English player, Alison Waters, 8-11, 11-5, 11-4, 11-2.

"Defending the title means a huge amount," said Massaro.

"To win it once is a big honour but to do it two years in a row would be massive.

"I've made my seeded position now so I can finally play with a bit of pressure off.

"Playing Nicol there won't be pressure because she's world number one but it just comes down to playing my game plan as well as I can on each day."

Nicol David will be keen to avenge Laura Massaro after the English player won the 2013 final ©SquashPicsNicol David will be keen to avenge Laura Massaro after the English player won the 2013 final ©SquashPics



David, winner of seven World Open titles in addition to the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games singles title, insisted she was confident of gaining revenge as she looked forward to taking on her closest rival. 

"It's a repeat of the final last year, but I don't think we'll be doing anything differently we're just going to be playing our best squash in the final of the British Open and you should expect a really good battle," said the 30-year-old.

"The British Open to me is very prestigious, it's like winning the world title.

"It has so much history behind it and just knowing that you're part of it makes a difference when you're out there on court playing squash in front of a great crowd."

There will also be English participation in the men's final after number one seed Nick Matthew overcame Egypt's Mohammed Elshorbagy in a marathon 104 minute encounter, in which he won 4-11, 14-12, 3-11, 11-7, 11-8.

He will face Grégory Gaultier of France in the final match as a bad day for Egypt was completed after third seed Ramy Ashour was beaten 11-7, 12-10, 3-11, 11-7.

Both finals will take place tomorrow as the week long competition concludes. 

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