Highly-rated Egyptian squash player Rami Ashour skipped the prestigious British Open in preparation for the forthcoming World Open Championships in Bermuda, it has been revealed.

World number two Ashour, described by Squash Player magazine as "the hottest player in a generation" pulled out of this month's British Open. The 20-year-old will now be fresh to gun for the world title in November at the most prestigious event on the squash calendar.

Ashour became the youngest ever World Junior Champion in 2004, aged 16, and was the first person in history to win the tournament twice two years later.

Roger Sherratt, Bermuda Squash Racquets Association (BRSA), spokesman said: "Last year Ramy (Ashour) was not even eligible for the Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters 2006 because he was not ranked in the top 32. But he's now ranked number two in the world and is seen as a threat to all the top players with very good reason."

The Endurance World Open Bermuda 2007 Squash Championships is to be staged on the Island for first time from November 25 to December 1.

Held in an glass court at the Fairmont Southampton Hotel, the tournament is the culminating event of one of the largest contracts in the history of the sport signed between the Professional Squash Association (PSA) and Bermuda. The Island also hosted the PSA Masters in 2005 and 2006.

With a main draw of 32 players, the showpiece boasts $175,000 in prize money, equalling the highest ever purse for the World Open.

State-of-the-art tents will be erected over the site, ensuring uninterrupted play regardless of the weather. Coverage is expected to reach up to the 2.1 billion mark worldwide with CNN, BBC World, NBC News, Fox Australia, and Orbit ESPN all showing the event.

Earlier this year Ashour claimed the two biggest titles of the year, the $200,000 Sheikha Al Saad Kuwait Open, and the $120,000 Qatar Classic, defeating Bermudian-based David Palmer and world number one Abr Shabana. Ashour has already won four PSA titles this year.

This month's Dunlop British Open Squash Championships saw world number four Gregory Gaultier beat fellow Frenchman Thierry Lincou.

For more information about the Endurance World Open Bermuda 2007 Squash Championships visit www.squashworldopen.com