Dubai: Many players are drawn to their sport because they love the competition and England’s Laura Massaro showed just why she continues to challenge herself at the age of 32, when displaying true fighting qualities to overcome Egypt’s Raneem El Welily in a thrilling PSA Dubai World Series Final.
Playing her fifth consecutive match in as many days, Massaro twice needed to rally from 1-0 and 2-1 down to beat the tenacious world number three 5-2 (9-11, 11-6, 5-11, 12-10, 11-5) after an action-paced 62 minutes in the futuristic looking coloured glass show court situated in the Burj Park at Downtown Dubai. 
Later in tne evening Gregory Gaultier, the world number two, put an end to Australian Cameron Pilley's giant-killing spree when he won the men's title 3-1 (11-4, 11-5, 8-11, 11-6).
As a captivating water, music and light spectacle lit up the majestic Dubai Fountains less than a hundred metres away, Massaro and El Welily put on an equally illuminating performance before a packed crowd at the purpose-built venue.
In the end it was Massaro’s resilience and diversity in shot-making that saw her extend her dominance over the Egyptian, five years her junior, to collect a cheque for $42,000, the highest ever paid in the World Series finals. Massaro was also completing his third straight victory over El Welily and her ninth overall in 14 meetings.
“This was a big effort. I’m just pleased that it paid off,” said Massaro, clearly overwhelmed by the occasions.
“We go through so much pain and all the hard work and sacrificies that we make as a squash player Results like these make it all worth while.
“It’s been a pleasure to be here all week and to playing in a tournament on a level par with men. It’s such a big deal,” she added.
“It’s also a fantastic way to end the season and I must say that it’s been such a privelidge to play here all week with the superstars of squash. The courts are amazing, the venue is amazing, Dubai is amazing it’s just been such an amazing week.”
El Welily, who was hoping to compensate for compatriot and world number one Nour El Sherbini’s defeat in the semifinals on Friday, said that Massaro deserved her victory.
“It’s been a great tournament for me. To reach the final is amazing. I’m just a bit disappointed that it ended like this,” said El welily, who takes home $28,500 as the runner-up.
“Laura is a great player, she’s been around so long. It’s always a big challenge to play her, we’ve met on 13 previous occasions. It’s never been easy. But that’s why we are in this sport, to give us something to fight for at the end of the day.”
El Welily, the first Egyptian player to wear the number one ranking in women’s tennis, is best remembered for ending Nicol David’s rein in September 2015. She also defeated El Sherbini in the Windy City Open World Series event in March this year. It was her first title since beating David.
 
 
Results
Women’s singles final:
(1) Laura Massaro (Eng) beat (4) Raneem El Welily (Egy) 62 min
Men's singles final:
(1) Gregory Gaultier (Fra) beat (8) Cameron Pilley (Aus) 11-4, 11-5, 8-11m 11-6.
(Note: Numbers in brackets indicate tournament seeding)