James Stout caused an upset in the qualifying tournament for next week's Logic Bermuda Squash Open and now faces the biggest test of his fledgling career.

Stout defeated Tommy Sherratt at the Bermuda Squash Racquet Association's Middle Road courts to set up a mouthwatering clash with world number three Dave Palmer.

Australian Palmer, who was recently granted residency on the Island, is the current World Open champion having defeated John White in a thrilling comeback in December.

Stout beat Sherratt 3-1 (15-11, 15-13, 14-15, 15-11) but could have seen off his opponent earlier had it not been for a spirited fightback by the Commonwealth Games player.

"He had match point at 14-11 and Tommy fought back to win the next four points to clinch the game," said Ross Triffitt, Bermuda's director of squash.

In the fourth game Sherratt started well and the match went to and fro until it reached 11-6 in Sherratt's favour.

"James just started to dominate and won the rest of the points to win it 15-11," Triffitt said.

"Tommy looked a little tired and a little sore. Both guys had matches that went for an hour and 15 minutes in the morning in the finals of the pool matches and I think that perhaps took its toll on Tommy to a certain extent."

The other qualifier went as expected, with Gary Plumstead defeating Nick Wiffen (15-8, 15-3, 15-5).

"In the morning the winner of Nick's game against Tommy got the opportunity to play James and the loser would play Gary and they all pretty much knew that whoever ended up with Gary wasn't going through," said Triffitt.

Plumstead now goes on to meet the aforementioned White, the world number four, in the Open.

The event runs from March 3 to 5 and tickets can be purchased by calling the BSRA on 292-6881.