LAURA Massaro celebrated her call-up to England's Commonwealth Games squad by reaching the semi-finals of the National Squash Championships in Manchester.

The East Lancashire ace battled past Emily Whitlock in straight games to set up a last four clash with Wales' Tesni Evans.

Massaro was named in England's squad for the Gold Coast on Friday morning and just three hours later was in quarter-final action, winning 11-5, 11-6, 11-6 in 27 minutes against Whitlock in a repeat of last year's semi-final.

The 34-year-old is into the last four for the 12th year in a row as she targets her fifth overall victory.

But it will be a tough test against Evans, who knocked Massaro out of the World Championships in December, with that clash taking place at 12noon on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Hoghton star said she was thrilled to be called up by her country for the Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Massaro, a three time silver medalist, said: "It's such an honour to be selected to represent Team England at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and I’m really excited about heading to the Gold Coast.

“The Commonwealth Games for squash players is our biggest event and it's always great to meet fellow sportspeople and enjoy being a part of Team England. I'm hoping to turn my 2014 silver into 2018 gold."