If Nick Kyme somehow soldiers his way to unprecedented glory in the Bermuda Masters 2005, he will have to negotiate some of squash?s most lethal ?landmines? ? starting with the most powerful of all.

Yesterday?s draw for next month?s world-class tournament has pit the lone local against current world top gun Thierry Lincou of France with other world top-ten players ? Amr Shabana of Egypt, Canadian Jonathan Power and Australia?s David Palmer ? potentially awaiting him should he pull off an improbable upset.

Highlighting Kyme?s obstacle-ridden path to the final, Bermuda Squash Racquets Association (BSRA) press officer Roger Sherratt declared it emphasised the quality of a field which boasts the top 31 players in the game, vying for $120,000 in prize money in the April 4-9 event.

?If he (Kyme) were to be lucky enough to beat the world number one ? going by seedings ? he would then likely play last year?s world champion Amr Shabana of Egypt. If he then beat Shabana he would then play world number six, Jonathan Power ? the great Canadian.

?If Kyme beat him then he would face world number four David Palmer and if he were to get through to the final he would play last year?s Bermuda Open winner Lee Beachill of England who is the world number two.

?That?s an indication of the depth of the field. In other words, it?s a very tough ride for whoever wins,? pointed out Sherratt.

Despite the knowledge that 28-year-old Lincou ? also the reigning world champion ? will be eager to make amends for a premature exit in last year?s Bermuda Open when he was ousted in the opening round by English giantkiller Nick Matthew, Kyme is keen to issue his challenge for the $16,275 winner?s cheque in the 32-man event.

In fact, he is happier to have drawn Lincou than one of the sport?s other powerhouses.

?I?m excited about it. He is a class player but, with his style of game, he is not going to blow me off court in two minutes.

?He is not a shotmaker. He can hit shots but he is not like Jonathan Power or John White who can blast you off court so I?m hoping to play a little. I?m actually looking forward to it. I?ve never played him before so it will be fun,? said the 24-year-old enthusiastically.

Still, Kyme ? world-ranked number 68 ? is realistic about his prospects in the opening-night clash, slated for Bermuda High School at 6 p.m.

?I?ve seen him a lot and I know how he plays but I don?t know if it will help me at all. I?ll know what to expect so I won?t go in there completely blind but he is number one in the world for a reason.

?I?d like to think I have a chance but it?s a very slim chance.?

Currently training in Wales with fellow squash pro Gavin Jones, the Island?s national champion is confident he will provide home fans with a better account of his ability than last year when England?s Peter Nicol swatted him aside in the first round.

?I think I?ve improved tremendously as a player in the last year and also because of last year?s experience I won?t be as almost-frightened as I was going on court. I can relax a little more so it should be much better.?

Additionally, the pro has become increasingly accustomed to competing against squash?s elite.

?I know all these guys now. I play them every few weeks or so. It?s not like last year when nobody knew me on the Tour and I hadn?t really played those guys at all. Now I?ve been in a lot of tournaments so I?m a lot more comfortable and it?s a lot easier this year,? elaborated Kyme.

This is the first time the Masters is being hosted in the West since its inception in 2000 ? being previously held in Egypt and in Qatar ? and tournament director Ross Triffitt hailed it a huge boost for Bermuda.

?We are very excited that we?ve got all the top players in the world. We?re going to have the best event that we could hope for,? he said.

While the 2004 Bermuda Open ran seamlessly and without any apparent hiccups, Triffitt disclosed organisers had learnt a lot and were finetuning certain aspects to ensure an even better tournament this year.

?There are some small finishing touches that some people might not notice but, as a whole, will have a tremendous impact on our presentation.?

Once again, most of the matches will take place on an all-glass court with seating for 600 spectators at the Jessie Vesey Sports Centre at BHS. However, to expedite matters, some early-round fixtures will be played at the BSRA on Middle Road.

Triffitt applauded the involvement of title sponsors Virtual Spectator as well as major sponsors Logic and Endurance, noting that their support was crucial to staging such a superb tournament.