spirited challenge in today's opening round of the Heinz Bermuda Open Squash Championships was dashed early yesterday morning when he was forced to withdraw from the tournament after injuring his right ankle in a cycle incident.

Instead of taking on the 18-year-old phenom in the third match of the evening session Australian Martin has earned a bye into the quarter-finals.

The match-up featuring John Williams and Jamie Crombie, originally scheduled to open the tournament this morning, will now shift to the third slot in the evening session, which starts at 5 p.m.

The opening match of the first session, which starts at noon, will feature Michael Puertas and fifth seed Anders Wahlstedt.

Power was rushed to the hospital by ambulance after being sent sprawling to the pavement in Paget, but fortunately for the young player the injury was not too serious. The Canadian was on crutches yesterday.

Last night he said that it was still too sore for him to think about playing on the weekend and estimated that he may be forced to take a break for two weeks.

"To put it bluntly I am bandaged, on crutches and very embarrassed,'' said the obviously disappointed Power. "But I guess I was pretty fortunate that it was not anything more serious than a hurt ankle and a few scrapes.'' The accident occurred as Power rode ahead of compatriot Simon Baker -- who is also playing in the tournament -- when they were heading toward Hamilton.

Power turned back to look for his friend only to lose control of the cycle and crash. "I just panicked when I swerved,'' he said.

Power, who is ranked 51st in the world, said that he was really looking forward to the tournament because it possibly could have helped him to move up as high as the mid-40s in the new rankings, which will be publicised next month.

"I am really disappointed because I wanted to meet Martin. I don't know how I would have fared against him. He probably would have won but I still would have gotten the experience,'' said Power.

Martin, who is ranked fourth in the world, last met Power in the World Championships in Finland in November of 1991 and won 3-0. "But I had some good games against him,'' said Power.

"Despite that loss I was looking forward to playing him again in the opening round here in Bermuda. If I played extremely well on the day I could have possibly won at least a game.'' The Canadian, who lives in Toronto, reached the final of the World Junior Championships in September but lost to a Finnish player by a 3-1 score. Also among his recent feats was an outstanding performance in a 3-2 defeat to against defending Bermuda Open champion Gary Waite, ranked 12th in the world.

Power, who will remain here to watch the tournament at the Devonshire Courts before focussing on next month's Portuguese Open, tips Martin to win with Canadian Jamie Hickox chosen as his dark horse.

JONATHAN POWER.