LAURA Massaro comfortably cleared her first hurdle in the British National Championships in Manchester when she beat qualifier Rachel Willmott in straight games in just 18 minutes.

It was the Chorley squash star’s first appearance on home soil since winning her biggest title on the international circuit last week in Cleveland, USA – where she not only beat England team-mate Jenny Duncalf, the world number two, for the first time in five years, but went on to record a first ever win over Nicol David, the world number one.

Third seed Massaro, who plays at the East Lancashire club, carried on where she left off in Cleveland – dispatching Willmott 11-3, 11-1, 11-4 to earn a quarter-final clash today with unseeded Welsh player Deon Saffery.

“It’s always good to get the first match out of the way,” said the 27-year-old world No9 who is bidding to become the first Lancashire player to win the women’s title in the event’s 36-year history.

“I felt good – you never know how you’re going to be until you actually get into a match situation,” Massaro added.

“Like me, Deon is coming off the back of a WISPA tournament win in the US. She’s playing well so it should be a good match.”

Victory would put Massaro into a likely semi-final against second seed Madeline Perry, the world No7. After finishing as runner-up in the 2008 Nationals, Massaro is determined to go one better this year.

“There are so many big names on that trophy, Cassie (Jackman), Linda (Elriani), Tania (Bailey), Alison (Waters) and Jenny (Duncalf), it would be a real honour to win it. I would really like to get my name on there!”