LAURA Massaro was at her clinical best yesterday to make it a hat-trick of National titles following a comprehensive victory over Alison Waters.

The world number one needed just 24 minutes to beat the four-time champion, racing to a 11-2, 11-5, 11-4 victory at the National Squash Centre in Manchester.

It was Massaro’s first national crown since 2012 and she joins the likes of Waters, Cassie Campion and Lisa Opie to have lifted the title at least three times.

“I’m really happy to win my third National title,” said Massaro who also won the title in 2011 and has been a runner-up on three occasions.

“It means a lot to me. It is a prestigious event with a lot of big names on the trophy.”

Massaro had been in superb form all week and was determined to win that coveted third title after losing to Waters in 2014 before suffering a shock defeat to Sarah-Jane Perry in last year’s final.

The 32-year-old has spent just 107 minutes on court and hasn’t lost a single game after breezing past Georgina Kennedy in the first round, Victoria Lust in the last eight and Welsh number one Tesni Evans in the semi finals before dispatching Waters in the final. It was the fourth time the two England team-mates had met in the final and the head-to-head now stands at two apiece - Waters coming out on top in their first final clash back in 2008.

Massaro set the tone right from the start and raced to a 5-0 lead in the opening game from which Waters never really recovered as the Chorley star sealed it 11-2.

Waters put up more of a resistance in the second game, losing 11-5 before Massaro sealed the title, winning the third game 11-4.

Massaro was delighted with her form throughout the championship in Manchester. “I’m really happy to have played well all week and finally win the title again.” said Massaro who became world number one for the first time in January. “Alison wasn’t at her best today but I though I played well and I am absolutely delighted to get my name back on the trophy.”

n Laura's husband Danny failed to make it a Massaro double after he was beating in the Over 40s finals, losing 11-6, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8 to Nick Taylor.