LAURA Massaro admits she is under extra pressure to reach the final of the Tournament of Champions (ToC) in New York.

The 31-year-old, who has slipped to number three in the world rankings, hasn’t reached a WSA final since the British Open in May.

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Despite a memorable 2014, which included winning the delayed World Open in March and two Commonwealth Games medals, Massaro says it it time for her to deliver again.

“I am under a bit of pressure because I haven’t reached a final for a while,” said Massaro who kicked off her campaign at the iconic Grand Central Station with a routine 11-4, 11-4, 11-3 victory over Egyptian qualifier Salma Hany Ibrahim. “Last year was brilliant for me but it didn’t end so good because I was failing to reach the finals.”

Massaro reached the ToC final last year where she lost to Nicol David and would love to set up another showdown with the world number one.

“If I could repeat what I did last year, it would be great,” she said.

“Obviously my aim is to try and win the tournament and I feel I am prepared to go and try and win it. But it would be good just to get to another final because that is the sort of pressure I put myself under.”

After winning silver medals in both the singles and doubles in the Commonwealth Games in August, Massaro failed to reach a final in the final four months of the year.

She lost in the second round of the Malaysian Open, reached the semi finals of the Hong Kong Open but suffered early exits in the US Open and finally the World Championships in Egypt where she lost in the quarter finals to England team-mate Alison Waters.

“The Commonwealth Games took a lot of out me as I was either training or competing each day,” said Massaro on her return from the Glasgow Games.

“I reached both finals and it was mentally and physically draining. In hindsight, I probably should have missed the Malaysian Open to recharge my batteries.”

Massaro, now fully fit and raring to go, takes on France’s Camille Serme later today for a place in the semi-finals of the Tournament of Championships having negotiated her way passed the tricky Ibrahim in the opening round in just 30 minutes.

“The last time we played, it went to five,” said Massaro who lives in Hoghton. “So this first round was a potential banana peel. I am glad to get it out of the way.”

Massaro is seeded to face world No.1 David in the final with her England team-mate Alison Waters also in the other half of the draw.