The build-up could not have bigger, the crowd more partisan nor the opponent more skilful - but Nick Kyme did himself proud on the grandest stage of his young career.

The 23-year-old world number 92 had a look of abject fear on his face as he strode out to Voice of Squash' Robert Edwards' grand welcome in front of the best part of 600 fans, all desperate for him to put on a show.

And in winning his 30 points - more than many would have staked their money on - Kyme showed flashes of brilliance, plenty of running and guts aplenty.

Kyme did more than enough to justify the fuss made over his wild card entry and showed that, while he may never emulate tournament favourite Peter Nicol's brilliance nor domination of the sport, he is a player of enormous potential with enough courage and composure to mix it when it mattered with the world's best.

"I was so nervous it was ridiculous," said Kyme after his 15-9, 15-11, 15-10 defeat which included some crowd-pleasing moments, not the least of which was an athletic splits followed by a bow to the main gallery.

"But once I hit the ball hard a couple of times I felt much better. I know he had another level, but against Peter you have to earn every point and I'm pretty happy that I hit a few winners.

"I tried to make the most of the occasion although it went by like a flash. I tried to soak it in at the beginning and at the end, but during the match I was just concentrating on hitting the ball a good length."

And what did he get out of the match, apart from the acknowledgement that there was a whole Island rooting for him?

"Playing a better player is always good for you," he continued, his Bermudian team shirt drenched in sweat.

"I am going to come away with this with a lot of experience and a lot of confidence. When I go to my next tournament (the Liechtenstein Open), I am going to go there a better player."

Kyme's appearance on the showcourt, erected with the shedding of as much sweat by the volunteers as the players, was the highlight of a wonderful day of squash as the Bermuda Open genuinely had an opportunity to shine.

The quality of sport on show to the surprisingly full stands matched the hype the tournament has received worldwide in the squash press and fulfilled every boast of the tournament's organisers.

But it was Kyme's game, immediately following a grandiose opening ceremony, that will be the abiding memory of all in the Bermuda squash fraternity.

Participation in the event's main draw will elevate the youngster into the world's top 75 and during his "15 minutes of fame" he showed that he has the fitness, and also some of the shots, to hold his own on the international tournament circuit.

Although Nicol, who is reaching the twilight of his career, was playing at what looked like half-pace at times, he was still made to work by Kyme, whose dogged determination to run down nearly every shot often kept rallies going when Nicol's immaculate technique produced some delightful drop shots for his opponent to chase.

When needed, however, Nicol had the ability to step up a gear and create winners from nothing - an ability he will need when he takes on the next 'Bermudian', Island resident David Palmer in today's quarter-finals.

"It was a good work-out," said Nicol, the consummate pro, after the game.

"The humidity is nasty. It is going to be brutal out there against David. That game was just about long enough for me.

"I enjoyed it, he was a lot harder to beat than when I played him in the Commonwealth Games a couple of years ago. He is a good player, it is up to him now to put in the hard work and see where he can get in the game."

The Bermuda Squash Open has given Nick Kyme a springboard - it is now up to him how high he wants to leap.