LAURA Massaro has warned her England team-mate Alison Waters “I’m coming to get you” as she targets her rival’s number of British National titles.

Defending champion Massaro has three titles to her name, one fewer than Waters, and begins her defence against Deon Saffery next Thursday at the National Squash Centre in Manchester.

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The pair have been the dominant force over the past decade, as either one or the other has contesting each of the last 10 finals - with seven successes between them.

Chorley ace Massaro wants to win as many National titles as possible before she hangs up her racket and using the Waters total as a target is the perfect incentive.

“I didn’t realise Alison had one more than me,” joked the 33-year-old, who also triumphed in 2011 and 2012, “I think I am going to have to call her out at one of the press conferences and tell her that I am coming to get her!

“In fairness to Alison she has never mentioned it, probably because she knows it would wind me up! But seriously, it would be great to equal her record. I want to win as many National titles as possible before I retire so catching Alison is a good aim for me.” The pair have met in four finals, including last year where Massaro sealed a 11-2, 11-5, 11-4 victory, but are 2-2 in their head-to-head meetings.

However, top seed Massaro, who has slipped to fifth in the world rankings, insists it is not all about her personal duel with Waters.

“As National tournaments go, this is probably one of the best in the world,” she said. “The whole set up, with matches played on the glass court, and the standard of the players competing means it is more like one of the major tour events.”

Three British players are in the world top 10 with two more in the top 20 while Sarah-Jane Perry (2015) and Jenny Duncalf (2007 and 2009) have both been National champions.

Hoghton-based Massaro says competing in the Nationals is as close as it gets to a home event.

“I love going to Manchester, I regularly train there so it is just like a home venue for me,” added Massaro. “My friends and family will be able to come along and watch which is important for me.”

While there are no world ranking points up for grab, Massaro says it is one of the most important events in her calendar.

“Everyone wants to be the national champion in their particular sport,” she said. “This tournament is steeped in history and there have been some great champions down the years. Being a part of that is very special.”

While Massaro aims to hunt down Waters, she still has some way to go to match the feats of six-time champion Cassie Campion who won her first title in 1993 and her last in 2004 while Sue Wright - the current coach of Sarah-Jane Perry - has won five titles.

“I think that will take some beating,” said Massaro. “Cassie’s record is pretty impressive but it is something for all of us to aim for.”