squash fans this weekend have the added treat of a truly world class tournament in this week's $18,000 Heinz Bermuda Open.

Brett Martin, the world's number two ranked player, is back to defend the title at the Devonshire Courts, a venue the Australian has made his domain, with a record three titles already to his credit.

Last year's losing finalist -- he was champion in 1992 -- Gary Waite of Canada, is also back, but will be hard pressed to duplicate even that feat, with a potpourri of global talent entered.

Tournament chairman David Protheroe was quick to acknowledge the quality of the field, trumpeting the potential for first-class matches.

"It's the best draw we've ever had,'' said Protheroe yesterday. "It may even be the best quality draw of any sport ever on the Island.

"These are the kinds of quality players that one might only expect to get at those $100,000 tournaments.'' Indeed 11 of those included in the main draw rank among the top 40 in the world and include Martin and Waite along with Rodney Eyles of Australia, Pakistan's Zarak Jahan Khan, Englishman Mark Cairns and Julien Bonetat of France.

There is also world junior champion Ahmed Barrada, who at 17 has already shown class beyond his years and has the potential to pull off a surprise or two among the higher seeds.

Protheroe, however, suggested Bonetat will be his dark-horse candidate.

"One would have to look to him, because when on form he's capable of beating people above him,'' he said. "He's an exciting player to watch. He keeps the ball in the nicks where they die and thus he hits a lot of winners.'' Meanwhile, on the subject of prize money, Protheroe said that with the influx of such talent there was a need to `up the ante' as the Open grew in stature on the world stage.

"We've reached the stage where the Bermuda tournament is looked at on the circuit by many of the top players.

"We realise that we've held prize money at $18,000 for almost five years and are under pressure to increase it.

"We will look at it very seriously for next year, there are already some plans in motion.'' Three qualifying matches were played last night to determine the pairings for tomorrow when the main draw commences.