David Palmer strained every sinew to defeat arch-rival Jonathon Power in an epic semi-final in last year's Bermuda Open, leaving him barely running on fumes in the final.

His second five-set match of the tournament - and one of the greatest games ever played according to squash aficionados - sapped what little strength the Aussie/Bermuda resident had left, and led to inevitable defeat in the face of Lee Beachill's unrelenting style in the tournament finale.

But this year, with the far more prestigious and lucrative Masters title now at stake, Palmer, who flies in today, is feeling more confident about his game and, more importantly, about his fitness.

“Last year it wasn't just the semi-final that took it out of me,” said Palmer, who trained here last summer as part of his efforts to spend as much time as a jet-setting sports star possibly can on one island.

“I went into the tournament coming off a knee injury and I wasn't at my best before we started. Then I had a five-set game in the opening round and a tough, tough game with Peter Nicol in the quarter-finals.

“Once I overcame Jonathon, I didn't have a lot left in the final, although I don't want to take anything away from Lee Beachill, he was a deserved winner.”

But this year Palmer, who is seeded four for the Virtual Spectator event, feels his preparation has been better, injury-free and can take him all the way to the title.

“I am going into this tournament in a lot better shape,” continued the affable and jovial former world number one.

“I am free from any injury and although I have a bit of a cold at the moment that is not going to be a problem.

“I feel I am much stronger physically and mentally than last year and if I have to go through long matches all the way to the final again, I think I'll be able to cope.

“I've got a tough opening round against Paul Price, he's a former world number four and he's got a lot of shots. When he's on form, he can give anyone in the world a tough game, so I will have to be at my best. Then there is Johnny White lined up next, another tough assignment.

“But I have a good feeling about the Masters, I feel I can do well here.”

And one thing that gives Palmer extra confidence is his status as the ‘home' player from the second round onwards, once Nick Kyme, the only genuine Bermudian in the event, gets knocked out.

Last year saw Palmer become the crowd favourite, receiving all the additional hand-clapping, cheering and adoration that comes with noisy partisan support.

A shout of ‘come on, Bermuda' during his epic with Power was confirmation that Palmer had been adopted as the new favourite, an elevated position he hopes to receive again - although only if he deserves it.

“I said it last year and I will say it again, I appreciate all the support I get but I know I need to earn it,” continued Palmer, who has been pictured in Bermuda shorts and is now as comfortable on a scooter as any car-driving ‘foreigner' can ever get.

“I felt that to an extent I earned it last year and I certainly don't expect to walk in to the tournament this year and get all that support again.

“I hope I can earn it again and if I do, it will certainly be appreciated.

“I don't get to play in big tournaments in Australia, so playing in front of a crowd who are backing you is a great feeling. They can really give you a lift if you are down and it is welcomed by any player and can sometimes give you that edge you are looking for in tight games.”

Although he is here for the serious business of trying to claim top prize in the $120,000 event, Palmer will also make sure he finds time for the finer things in Island life, the boats, the beaches and the cocktails - and a proper home to sleep in.

“I feel very comfortable in Bermuda, I am used to the conditions here and I know my way around a bit more. I've got some good friends here and I am looking forward to catching up with them again,” he continued.

“As squash players, we spend our lives in hotels and it is nice to be out of them for a change, that is another aspect of playing in Bermuda I really enjoy.”

And Palmer, the Pete Sampras of squash, dependable, reliable, solid, tough to beat, always in the mix for the titles, is delighted that his adopted home is staging such a large and prestigious tournament.

“I have seen a few of the guys around on the league circuit in Europe the last few days and there is a real buzz among everyone that they are coming out here soon,” he gushed.

“Everyone who came here last year thought it was a brilliant tournament - one of the best of the year - and are looking forward to coming back.

“It is great to see such a small Island doing so much in squash. Bermuda is a great place and people like Ross (Triffitt, tournament director) have done wonderful things here.

“For a place this small to put on a tournament like the Masters shows what an incredible team they have and what a great place Bermuda is.

“I have been looking forward to coming back since I left and I know the other players can't wait to get here either.”

How happy these players will be, particularly those who have to take on pumped-up Palmer, come the end of next week is a different matter entirely.