LAURA Massaro’s stunning start to the squash season continued after winning the Qatar Classic in Doha yesterday.

The world number three from Chorley, who celebrated her 32nd birthday last week, beat talented youngster Nour El Sherbini in a dramatic final - winning 11-8,12-14, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9 in a gruelling contest that lasted 73 minutes.

Massaro has now won three out of four tournaments this season - including back-to-back successes after winning the US Open in Philadelphia last month.

Massaro and Sherbini showdowns have proved to be mini classics and this was no exception as it was the fourth consecutive five-setter the pair have contested.

In a re-run of the delayed 2013 World Championship final - which Massaro also won - the East Lancashire ace took the opening game at a packed Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex, edging it 11-8.

Massaro had chances to double her lead but Sherbini, 20, considered by many to be a future world number one, drew level, winning the second game 14-12.

In what was turning out to be another gripping contest, Massaro edged ahead in the third game that went all the way to the wire before the Hoghton-based star nicked it 11-9.

With the tension rising, Sherbini, the world number eight from Egypt, made sure the match would go to a fifth and deciding game after taking the fourth 11-8.

However Massaro, who boasted a 3-1 winning record going in to the final, showed her true fighting spirit to battle back from from 4-7 and 5-8 down to win 11-9 to win her first Qatar Classic at the 10th attempt.

Massaro was delighted to get one over her young rival, 12 years her junior.

“There’s a lot of great names on that trophy so it’s a great feeling to know that my name will go along side them now,” said Massaro.

“It’s amazing to win another major trophy - I’m over the moon. Physically and mentally I feel in a really good place at the moment.

“I think that there was a little bit of a change in tactical plan in the end and then a bit of a momentum shift and it was enough to carry me over the line in that fifth game. There was only three or four points left at that point and I don’t think that there was enough time for her to adjust to that.”

The win sees Massaro strengthen her lead at the top of the PSA Road to Dubai Standings and cut down the gap between herself and Worlds No.1 and 2 Raneem El Welily and Nicol David, respectively.

As well as her Qatar Classic victory, Massaro won season-opening Macau Open in September and also the US Open last month.

n Massaro’s Hat-trick Macau Open - beat Nouran Gohar 11-8, 11-3, 11-9 US Open - beat Nour El Tayeb 11-6, 9-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-7 Qatar Classic - beat Nour El Sherbini 11-8,12-14, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9