CHORLEY squash star Laura Massaro says she can cope with the extra pressure ahead of the British Championships after beating world number one Nicol David in America last week.

The 27-year-old stunned the Malaysian squash star to win the Cleveland Racquet Classic and scoop the $55,000 prize fund.

The four-game victory ended David’s incredible 14-month winning run and also saw Massaro beat the world’s best player for the first time in 10 attempts.

Massaro, a former Albany High School pupil, also beat England team-mate and world number two Jenny Duncalf and Ireland’s Madeline Perry, ranked fourth in the world, to reach the final.

Now she admits that Duncalf who she won a silver medal with in the Commonwealth Games ladies doubles – will be out for revenge in Manchester today.

“Jenny will definitely be looking to get her own back,” said Massaro, who faces a qualifier in the first round today.

“But I don’t feel I will be under any extra pressure than the pressure I always put on myself to succeed.

“People will have seen what I did in Cleveland and they will be wondering if it was a flash in the pan or that I am a one hit wonder.

“But my aim is to get to my ranking place in the tournament and that is the semi finals. Then I will take it on from there.”

Massaro, who lives in Hoghton, is currently ranked ninth in the world and fourth in Britain. But she is hoping her latest triumphs – she also won the Sharm el-Sheikh Classic in December – will boost her rankings.

Massaro, who plays for East Lancs Squash Club in Blackburn, will be joined at the British Championships by husband Danny and club captain Nigel Willis, who will be competing in the age group finals.