Perry loses out to Massaro in the final of the British Open

Despite Perry fighting back in game three, Massaro, 33, won 11-8, 11-8, 6-11, 11-6 in a game lasting 55 minutes to become the first English woman for 66 years to win a second British Open title.

History had already been made with two English women in the final for the first time since 1991, but the experience of Massaro told in her fourth final in five years.

“It’s just unbelievable,” said the fifth seed, a former world champion and world number one.

Seventh seed Perry, 26, was delighted with her week, however, having beaten Belgium qualifier Nele Gilis and Wales’ Tesni Evans in straight games before battling past Australian Donna Urquhart and five-time British Open champion and former world number one Nicol David in clashes lasting close to an hour.

“If you told me at the start that I’d reach the final I’d be happy with that,” said the Kenilworth Squash Club player.

“I wanted to play my game but Laura was playing too well and stopped me doing that.”