Any spectators at the National Squash Championships would roundly agree that Nick Kyme has taken his game to a new level.

Bermuda?s top pro eased past Melrindo Caines, a product of the Island?s junior programme, losing just nine points to book a place in the semi-finals.

Kyme, who will lead the Island?s charge in the main draw at next month?s Open, has shown enormous improvement over the last 18 months of professional competition and is now playing the game at a new speed ? and proving far too hot to handle for his domestic opponents so far in the national championships.

In the next round of this tournament he will take on Tommy Sherratt, whose lack of recent court time showed in his five-game struggle against Ryan Bell.

In one of the Tuesday?s quarter-finals? best match-ups, third seed Gary Plumstead disposed of fifth-ranked Nick Wiffen in straight games ? he will now meet the Island?s number two James Stout, who ended Javed Ali?s participation.

Stout, who has been training recently in Belgium, is also a player who has taken his game up a significant notch in recent months and will be looking to put in a good showing against top-20 players when he competes in the qualifying for the Open.

The final four will play tomorrow night in this event, which has gained gravitas ahead of March?s world-class tournament which brings many of the world?s leading players to the Island.

The finals of the national championships next place on Saturday.