LAURA Massaro celebrated her birthday in style as she booked a place in the last eight of the Qatar Classic.

The East Lancashire star will face Nouran Gohar tomorrow afternoon for a place in the semi-finals after she battled through a 50-minute four-game match with compatriot Fiona Moverely.

On her 32nd birthday Massaro, seeded four in the tournament, secured a 14-12, 11-9, 5-11, 11-9 victory.

“I thought Fiona played really well,” said Massaro. “The glass court and the lower tin really suited her game and she used height and attacked and mixed it up to make it really tough.

“I didn’t play 100 per cent at my best and when you do that against someone as dangerous as her you can get hurt but I felt like I worked her game out as the match went on. Every game was tight so I’m pleased to get off in four games.

“My first round match was quick and then I had a rest day so I feel like I’ll be better for the remainder of the tournament after having a tough test today.

“It was tough to regroup after winning the US Open and get back into training ahead of Qatar was hard but I’m happy to win today and I’ll enjoy my birthday now.”

For Moverely it was a case of what might have been.

She said: “That kind of match helps you set up the benchmark and allows you to know where you are and what level you are playing at. It shows that on my day I can compete with anyone.”

Meanwhile, Massaro has been named as the PSA Player of the Month for October.

The world number three was the outstanding performer in the last few weeks, clinching the Delaware Investments US Open title in Philadelphia after winning a series of titanic battles against her championship rivals, including a quarter-final against Nicol David.

The Hoghton star also won the Macau Open in China in what has been a strong start to her season.