A DETERMINED Laura Massaro says she will look forward rather than back following her shock first round exit in the Carol Weymuller Open in New York last week.

The 31-year-old from Chorley admitted she was ‘stung’ by her loss to qualifier Salma Hany at the Brooklyn event she rates as one of her favourites and a tournament she won back in 2012.

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But rather than dwelling on the past, Massaro is concentrating on the future and that is a good performance in the US Open in Philadelphia which gets under way tomorrow.

The early exit has given Massaro, who lives in Hoghton, the chance to get in some extra training and help her recover from an illness she picked up after winning the season-opening Macau Open last month.

“I’m looking forward rather than back now,” said Massaro who has climbed back in to the top three in the world in the most recent rankings. I’m focused. Losing has meant I had extra time to train and I’m feeling really good after some good days training.”

While Massaro goes to Philadelphia determined to add to the US Open she won in 2011, she admits the defeat to young Egyptian Hany hit her hard.

“I was very disappointed,” she said. “It stung a lot but I had an illness between Macau and Brooklyn and although it was extremely disappointing, I have to be honest and know I gave it my best in the day and Salma played exceptionally well.

“It wasn’t enough on the day with the preparation I had.”

Massaro has been drawn against another Egyptian, Heba El Torky, in the first round and is expecting another tough battle.

“Heba is a great player and it will be a tough match against another talented Egyptian,” she said. “But I’m ready for the challenge and looking forward to getting my US Open under way.”

Following her surprise early exit in Brooklyn, Massaro – the 2013 world champion – says she doesn’t feel under extra pressure.

“Pressure is always there because I always want more success,” said Massaro who is fifth seed at the tournament to be held at Drexel University. “I have worked hard over the summer and I want to put that hard work to good use and hopefully that will carry over to good play and results.”

And there will be a familiar face in the crowd cheering her on as her brother, Chris Lengthorn, recently took up a squash coaching post in Philadelphia.

“Chris moved out to the US a few weeks ago so it was great to see him again,” Massaro added. “He came down to see me while I was in Brooklyn and I have been staying with him in the lead up to the US Open.”