For the second year in a row, Nick Kyme will emerge to a rapturous, foot-stomping reception at the Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters to face the world number one in the first round.

This April 2 however, the 25-year-old?s shot at the big time should prove even more special, given that his opponent will be the Australian David Palmer ? a resident of Bermuda for over four years.

Present at the announcement of the draw yesterday for the second largest tournament in world squash, the 25-year-old wild card recipient said he was looking forward to what will be a ?very special? night.

?I?m good friends with Dave and it will be such a great experience playing him in front of a Bermudian crowd,? he said.

?Dave is obviously well known to a lot of locals given that he has been a resident here for a long time so the atmosphere on the night should be electric. It will be a great night for Bermuda that two people so closely associated with the Island will be battling it out on one of the game?s highest stages.

?I hope I can put up a decent fight. To be honest, I?m quite glad I got drawn against Dave. Yes, he?s the world number one but there are one or two other guys in the top ten in the world, such as John White and Amr Shabana who have got the shots to blow somebody like me off the court. Dave?s game is based more on speed, power and patience so at least I should get a chance to get into some good rallies with him.?

Kyme is still recovering from the crushing disappointment of his shock defeat to club professional Patrick Foster in the National Championships on Saturday, and admitted he has redoubled his efforts this week in order to bring his game up to scratch.

?I was very disappointed with the way I played on the weekend,? he said.

?Patrick played very well and deserved the win on the night, but I?ve used the anger I felt at losing to motivate myself to train even harder.?

All of the world?s top 31 players ? including defending champion Jonathan Power of Canada ? have confirmed their involvement in the Masters, which starts on the all-glass court at the Jessie Vesey Sports Centre at Bermuda High School for Girls on April 2, with the final on April 8.

And with prize money again totalling $120,000, it comes only second in importance to the World Open ? a tournament Bermuda will play host to next year as part of the biggest contractual agreement in the history of the sport with the Professional Squash Association.

The Masters has been extended by a day to allow for more games on the glass court while the 3-D technology of Virtual Spectator will again be incorporated into the coverage at the venue.

?Last year?s Masters went extremely well,? said tournament director Ross Triffitt.

?We got a lot of very positive feedback while we have also taken not of people?s suggestions for how the event could be improved. That?s why we?ve added an extra day on, so that we can get as many games on the glass court as possible.

?The directors of the Professional Squash Association have called last year?s Masters the best event on the world tour and we have every intention of living up to that reputation or even improving on it this year.?