World number six Thierry Lincou has filled the final spot in next week's Logic Bermuda Squash Open 2003.

The event, which runs from March 3 to 5, has already secured the number three, four, nine, 13 and 16 in the world.

In March 2002 Lincou reached his highest ranking of No.4 in the world and has been ranked in the top six since October 2001. He has won nine professional titles and became France's highest world ranked player ever in April 2000.

In 1998 Lincou won the World University Championships, which now puts the count at three for former World Champions entered in this year's Open.

Lincou is currently competing in the Harris Direct Tournament of Champions in New York's Grand Central Station and last night played the Open's No.2 seed John White in the quarter-finals.

The New York event has already produced a clash between two Open participants when World Champion and Bermuda resident David Palmer beat Joseph Kneipp, world No.16, in the second round 3-1 (7-15, 15-13, 15-12, 15-4).

Other pros playing in next week's tournament are world No.9 Ong Beng Hee from Malaysia and Mark Chaloner, world No.13 from England.

Local qualifiers Gary Plumstead and James Stout will meet the top two seeds, with number two qualifier Stout meeting Palmer and Plumstead playing White.

The third and fourth seeds will be drawn to see which side of the draw they will be placed on as will the fifth and sixth seeds. The draw will take place tonight, with the final draw being made public tomorrow.

Profits from the Logic Bermuda Squash Open 2003 will be donated to the BSRA Junior Programme, a registered charity.

The event is being staged with the assistance of Logic Communications in association with ACE Group of Companies, Endurance Specialty Ltd and the Bank of Butterfield and tickets are on sale now at the squash club in Devonshire.

For more information contact Ross Triffitt on 292-6881 or 799-7432.