LAURA Massaro has set her sights on becoming world number one after the most successful season of her career.

The Chorley ace has cut the gap on the seemingly uncatchable world number one Nicol David – and is now aiming to overhaul her when the new season starts in August.

The 29-year-old appears to have the upperhand on David, having now beaten her four times in her career – including the last two meetings.

That included an Allam British Open at Hull City’s KC Stadium last weekend – the third and best of Massaro’s three WSA World Series Gold titles.

“Everyone wants to be the number one in their particular sport and I am no different,” said Massaro. “Getting to number one in the world is my ultimate goal.

“Last year I might not have thought that it was possible but the gap between me and Nicol is a lot closer now.

“We’ll have to wait until the next rankings come out to see just how close that gap is.”

Massaro is closing in on David on the back of a season that has seen her rise to number two in the world, win the Malaysia Open – where she beat David in the semi finals – and most recently the British Open.

She also helped England retain the European team title and guided her French side Mul House to the final of the French Cup.

“This is definitely the best season of my career and winning the British Open is the highlight so far,” added the former Albany High School pupil.

“The British Open is steeped in history and the fact that I was the first British girl to win since 1991 made it all the more special.

“I had a really tough draw as well so there was no easy passage to the final either. So to win the way I did makes it all the more special.”

Massaro, who was world player of the year in 2011, would love to win the World Open but refused to choose between that and becoming number one.

“You can’t pick because they are both equally as important,” said Massaro who lives in Hoghton. “Getting to number one is reward for showing the consistency over a long period. It is the greatest honour.

“But you can’t beat the buzz of winning a big title in front of a big crowd, like I did at the British Open.

Winning the World Open would mean just as much as being number one in the world.”