The court has been built, the hotels booked, tickets have been sold, volunteers are at the ready and Bermuda is poised to once again play proud host to 31 of the planet?s very best squash players in a festival of fast-paced, high octane action.

A host of household names such as David Palmer, Peter Nicol, Johnny White and Amr Shabana will be joined by our very own Nick Kyme in another week of fierce competition in the $120,000 Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters.

As part of the largest deal in the sport?s history, the Masters comes to Bermuda for a second consecutive year with a new champion set to be crowned this time around following the shock retirement of last year?s champion Jonathon Power.

The tournament, spread over an extra day this year to maximise the magnificent Jessie Vesey Sports Hall venue, is a genuine celebration of squash with exhibition games, ladies matches as well as promotions to encourage youngsters and females to take part in the incredible sport.

But the main action will take place within the state-of-the-art all-glass centrepiece of the BHS Gym with some mouthwatering clashes on the agenda.

Bermuda has seen some all- time classic encounters between some of the game?s greats in recent years and this coming week should see more clashes for the highlight reel.

Palmer, who must first get past Kyme on what should be a noisy Monday night, will be desperate for a ?home? victory while Shabana, Thierry Lincou, Nicol, White and previous winner here Lee Beachill will all be gunning hard for a shot at Power?s vacant crown.

Who will be crowned winner come next Saturday is far from certain but what can be guaranteed is a frenzied week of excitement, thrills, humour, passion, incredulous athleticism and sporting genius.