Laura Massaro wins the squash world championship, becoming the first English woman to hold both world and British Open titles simultaneously. 

Preston based squash superstar Massaro, is the reigning British Open champion, beating Nicol David, the most successful female squash player of all time. She was the first English woman to do so in 22 years at the time.

She will be defending her British Open Champion title at the 2014 Open in early May.

Massaro won 11-7 6-11 11-9 5-11 11-9 in a nail-biting final at the Women’s World Squash Championship in Penang, Malaysia last Sunday.

She is currently ranked number two in the world in the World Rankings and is one of three Englishwomen ranked in the top 10. She is now England’s first female squash world champion since Cassie Campion in 1999.

Masaro commented after the win, “Wow, World Open Champion! I can’t believe I’m describing myself as that!!! So happy and I want to thank everyone for the support”.

She also comments that her time at Preston College really helped her develop her squash playing. She said “I went to Preston College for 2 reasons. Firstly because I had heard of its sporting reputation and the scholarship system they offered. Secondly there are squash courts and a gym on site at the college. It meant I could play and train between classes.

“For me Preston College was an environment that certainly helped me to flourish”.