Defending champion Laura Massaro is looking forward to defending her title when the ATCO PSA Dubai World Series Finals light
up the Emirates Golf Club this week from June 5-9.
The two-time World Series Finals champion is looking to score her third successive title in Dubai after previous victories over
Egypt’s World No.1 Nour El Sherbini and Raneem El Welily and the 34-year-old is excited to return to Dubai.
“I have good memories of Dubai as you always do when you win and it’s good to be going back there,” said England’s former World
No.1 Massaro.
“I
didn’t think I was going for two in a row but three in a row would
obviously be brilliant. Obviously as defending champion
you want to do everything you can to defend your titles, whatever title
that is. With my season, having not won a World Series title this year,
you’re never really sure that you’re going to guarantee your place to
be there but having got myself to Dubai you
want to make sure that you are in the best possible shape to defend
your title.”
The World Series Finals brings together the top eight players in the world and features a unique best of three format up until
the semi-final stage and Massaro admitted that the different format suits her style – much to her surprise.
“It’s
a different format and I don’t think I thought that the best of three
format would suit me but as history has shown, I’ve
been quite good at it. It will be a case of thinking back to what works
quite well and some tough training sessions in the lead up.
“The good thing with the end of season finals is that it’s like a celebration of the top eight players in the world. Everyone
wants to do well but it’s a real bonus event at the end of the season and everyone is flying and just wants to have a go.
“I’m
really looking forward to that sort of relaxed feel that the World
Series Finals brings through the day and then that intensity
at night. It’s a real different feel to the other events we play on
Tour and I’m excited to play it again.
After
being held in some of Dubai’s most iconic locations in previous years
such as at the foot of the Burj Khalifa and the
Opera House, this year’s event will head to the Emirates Golf Club and
England’s Massaro is looking forward to playing at another prestigious
venue.
“It’s been one of the most fun, professional events that we have had an it showcases what an amazing place Dubai is. Playing
in front of the Burj Khalifa and then in the Opera House last year are two of the most iconic locations that I have played in.
“I’m
sure that the Emirates Golf Club is going to be no different this year
and I’ve had the privilege of being able to practice
there the past two years in the days leading up to the event, so it
will be slightly different having a glass court there, but I know the
place pretty well and use the gym and back courts and all the facilities
that are there.
“It’s an absolutely stunning location and it will be another amazing setting to have the court in Dubai.”
World No.7 Massaro will face Egypt’s reigning World Champion Raneem El Welily on day one at 16:30. All times are local GMT +4.
The semi-finals are due to take place from 20:00 on June 8, while the finals will commence at 20:00 on June 9.
Every
fixture will be shown live on SQUASHTV (Rest of World) and Eurosport
Player (Europe only), while the semi-finals and final
will be broadcast on live mainstream channels across the globe,
including BT sport, beIN Sports, Fox Sports Australia and Astro.
Tickets for the World Series Finals can be purchased here:
https://dubai.platinumlist.
No comments:
Post a Comment