WHEN Bermuda's top and only professional squash player Nick Kyme was a teenager and met Australian pro David Palmer for the first time, he probably has no idea that he would be playing him for real in one of the top events in the squash world ? the Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters in April.

But that is exactly what the 25-year-old Bermudian will be doing when he walks out on the all-glass court at the Jessie Vesey Sports Centre at the Bermuda High School on the evening of April 3rd.

Last year Kyme received a huge ovation from the partisan local fans which gave him a boost and this year he will need exactly the same since Palmer is now the world number one.

But at least Kyme has played Palmer, who is now a Bermuda resident, before.

"I have played him in an exhibition but never in a tournament," said Kyme this week. "I have practised with him though. I first met David when I was a teenager ? about six or seven years ago."

Kyme said Palmer spends much of the off season in Bermuda. "He practises down here (at the Devonshire courts) ? he likes training here because of the weather."

Palmer also spends time in Belgium where his coach lives. "He like to spend time in both Belgium and Bermuda because they are central ? after all he is originally from Australia."

Tournament chairman, Ross Triffitt said of the Palmer/Kyme first-round match-up: "I think it is good for Nick because he knows Palmer and has practised with him so it will not be as daunting as playing another one of the top players in the world who he has never come up against. Also this will be Nick's third time out (at the Masters) and I think he will be more relaxed ? he will put in a good showing."

Triffitt said organisers of the tournament are learning more and more each year. "We have learned a lot from last year which went really well. This year should be easier in some respects as we know what we are dealing with. But then again each year we have been growing a lot ? we first had a 16 player draw and now we have a 32 player draw and twice the amount of prize money and twice the amount of budget.

"We are now examining some of the areas we would like to improve on. We certainly want to showcase Bermuda better internationally and we want better international exposure for our sponsors ? that is an area where we are continuing to work on. We want to develop the application of the Virtual Spectator technology. We are fine tuning the whole presentation of the event."

The all-glass court this year is coming from the US as opposed to Rotterdam and "that will make things easier".

Triffitt added: "We have also now started working with a local company for the seating so that will make it easier for us as well."

One thing the organisers don't have to worry too much about is pleasing the best players in the world who will be descending on Bermuda come April. "The players love it here. They love the way the whole community comes out and supports the tournament ? everyone from the immigration officers at the airport when they arrive to the taxi drivers and the general public."

World number one Palmer will be hard pressed by both Jonathan Power and the current World Open champion, Egypt's exciting Amr Shabana (who slipped from two to number three in February).

Power had a disappointing loss to Shabana in the final of the Pace Canadian Classic last month after sustaining a slight back injury, but he gained revenge a few weeks later defeating Shabana in an exhausting semi-final match at the Windy City Open, before going on to lose in the final to Palmer.

Another strong contender is 2005 British Open champion, Anthony Ricketts of Australia, who was only one win away from taking the world's top spot from Power before losing to Power in the Saudi International in December. Ricketts then went on to win the Australian Open from Palmer in January and is currently ranked number four.

Squash spokesman Roger Sherratt said: "We couldn't possibly create a better scenario in the build up to April. It is literally impossible to predict which of the top four players could be considered favourite for the title, whether it's brilliant Jonathon Power of Canada, World Champion Amr Shabana of Egypt, Bermuda resident, Dave Palmer of Australia, or his fellow countryman, Anthony Ricketts. These four are battling it out in every major tournament. And that's not to rule out players like James Willstrop who has beaten all of them at some point in his career."

When asked for his assessment of the quality of world squash, Gawain Briars, PSA Chief Executive stated: "Never has there been a more exciting period in the competitive game with a full group of serious contenders hungry and capable of lifting the title. I am sure everyone will enjoy and savour the dynamic skills of the best 32 squash professionals in the world as they fight it out for the honour of lifting the title Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters 2006."

The tournament is presented by Logic and hosted by Endurance.