Bermuda suffered a disappointing opening weekend in the Pan-Am Squash Championships in Mexico with all seven Island players knocked out of the individual competition.

Only Nick Kyme, Bermuda's top player and the world number 83, managed to even win a game, beating Francisco Lalama of Ecuador 9-2, 9-0, 9-5 in the second round after getting a bye in the first.

But Kyme began to tire towards the end of that match due to the combination of high altitude and the hot, slippery court conditions and he came unstuck in the next round against Mexican Mariano Aguilar, who defeated him 1-9, 4-9, 9-0, 3-9 in a match in which Kyme's pre-occupation with some curious refereeing, and the added pressure of taking on a local, cost him dear.

On a frustrating opening day of the tournament for the Island team, all other players were beaten in their opening round clashes of the event.

James Stout ? the only other pro on the Island ? was also beaten by Aguilar, going down 9-7, 9-3, 9-0 in a game in which the youngster could have won had it not been for some unforced errors.

Stout, who has come on immeasurably since moving down to a training base in Belgium, was in control against Aguilar but his failure to convert winning opportunities ? he continually put backhand drop shots and forehand cross-court volleys into the tin ? were his undoing.

In other games, Tommy Sherratt was beaten by Chilean Jaime Pinto 9-3, 9-3, 9-2, while top junior and men's team reserve Michael Shrubb was beaten 9-5, 9-2, 9-3 by Ecuadorian Lalama ? a defeat Kyme later avenged.

In the ladies' competition, Liz Martin was hammered 9-1, 9-0, 9-0 by American Michelle Quibell and Denise Kyme ? Nick's mother ? was beaten by Sabina Bataglia of Argentine 9-4, 9-3, 9-0. Jenny Chamberlain lost out 9-0, 9-4, 9-0 to Chilean Jessica Diaz.

Despite the disappointment of the opening weekend, the Bermudian team are hoping to rally round and put in a strong showing in the team competition which begins tomorrow.

If the Island players can adapt to the tough conditions of the Mexican courts they have a good chance of putting in a good performance, especially after the competition was opened up by the withdrawal of the traditionally strong Brazilian team.

Bermuda have been placed in a group with number one seeds Canada, the US and Guatemala, but all four teams go through after the seeding group stage with the Island team confident of a second-placed finish that would give them a good draw in Thursday's knock-out competition.