round of the Qatar International tournament by winning a bad-tempered match against Egypt's Ahmed Faizy yesterday.

World number two Eyles, beaten in the last two finals of the event by world champion Jansher Khan, defeated the Egyptian world junior champion 15-9 15-14 15-13 in 49 minutes.

The match was marred in the early stages by a succession of complaints from both players, while Faizy was warned for wasting time.

At one stage, Eyles complained to referee Bernhard Sartor that he was in danger of being hit in the face by Faizy's racket. "It's just my swing,'' retorted the Egyptian.

The mood of the match improved later when Eyles jokingly lifted his lightweight opponent and carried him across the court.

After the match, Eyles played down the unsavoury aspects of the game.

"There is no malice between us out there. In different situations, we have different ways of playing,'' said Eyles, who caused a major surprise in August when he defeated Jansher in the final of the Hong Kong Open.

Eyles is expected in Bermuda later this week to take part in the Schroders Bermuda Open (October 12-15, Bermuda Squash Racquets Association), where he will be seeded first.

The Aussie will be one of six top ranked players here for the event, with the field also including another Aussie, former three-time winner and world number three, Brett Martin.

Martin had a chance a year ago to add a fourth title, but lost to Zarak Jahan Khan of Pakistan, who will not be returning to the Island to defend his title.

Both Martin and Eyles are familiar with the Island, having performed an exciting exhibition in June of last year, one which entertained a local crowd for its unwrapping of an array of mindboggling shots.

Others on the Bermuda-bound list are Australian Anthony Hill, ranked nine in the world, and an English trio led by world number five Chris Walker and also containing Del Harris (six) and Simon Parke (seven).

Like Eyles, Harris and Hill were successful in moving through to the next round in Qatar, an island nation off the coast of Saudi Arabia, following triumphs over Canada's Jonathan Power and Zarak, both names familiar to the Island for past visits.

Harris needed three games to get past Power 15-13 15-11 15-4, while Hill ousted Zarak in four, 9-15 15-2 15-9 15-2.

For the Open the six players will be separated into two groups of three and engage in round robin play, with the top player emerging from each group contesting the final, while the runners-up from group play battle for third.

Two matches will be featured on each of the first three nights, culminating with finals night on the Tuesday (October 15).

After the Bermuda tourney most of the competitors are due to travel to Minneapolis for the United States Open.

Tickets for the Schroders Bermuda Open cost $25 and are available from the Devonshire club -- juniors pay just $10 for weekend games. Matches start at 6.30 p.m. each night. For further information call 292-6881.