Lancashire’s defending champion Laura Massaro sailed into the semi-finals of the British National Squash Championships for the sixth successive year at the National Squash Centre at Eastlands last night.

The world No3 from Preston, who last year became the first ever Lancashire player to win the women’s title, crushed Victoria Lust, the sixth seed from Bedfordshire, 11-3, 11-2, 11-4.

“Vicky will be disappointed – she’s a lot better than that,” said Massaro.

After winning the 2011 national crown, 28-year-old Massaro went on to enjoy the best year of her career – leaping from 10 to three in the rankings and winning the WISPA Player of the Year award.

“Last year was a phenomenal year,” she said. “I worked hard on my game and improved so many parts of it. And if I can do it, anybody can.”

In a repeat of the 2011 semi-final, Massaro will face 13 times Irish champion Madeline Perry, the world No4.

In the men’s event, Londoner Adrian Grant saw off Eddie Charlton from Nottingham, 11-5, 11-9, 13-11 to reach the last four. Tweet