The Gnosis Bermuda National Squash Championships begins on Monday night with the destination of the titles far from certain.

A total of 58 entries have been received across ten divisions but most eyes will be on the men’s and women’s open division, with the champions tough to call before the tournament gets under way.

The rivalry between Micah Franklin, head of squash at the Bermuda Squash Racquet Association, and Taylor Carrick gathers pace with both players capable of beating the other on their best day.

“The open draws are always the big talking points at these championships,” Franklin said.

“This tournament gives us a clear indicator of how our national ranking is looking and we usually use the results from this tournament when selecting teams to travel overseas.

“It’s a bit of a shame the men’s draw is smaller than in previous years, but we’re stronger in other draws, so that's a good thing

“Taylor is seeded No 1 and I’m two so if all goes to plan we play off against each other in the finals. He beat me in this tournament last year and then I went on to beat him at the Caribbean Championships to make the final. So we have a 1-1 in the series and both were very different matches with very different versions of ourselves.”

Franklin believes the women’s open is tough to call with at least six players capable of coming out on top in the final on Friday night.

“The women's open is very interesting this year and I would say that it’s probably the most competitive it's ever been,” Franklin said.

I can’t remember a time in the past that I looked at a draw and I’m left thinking one of six different ladies could win it. The level is very close.

Rachel Barnes playing really hard and won the club championships in November. Melina Turk and Eilidh Franklin played in the finals of the national championships last year and Eilidh pulled off the upset against the former professional.

“We also have young up-and-comers such as Abigail Brewer and Sydney Wallace who are only 23, 24 years old. They have a bright future ahead of them and every girl in that draw is really competitive.”

Bermuda will be sending a men’s and women’s team to the Central American and Caribbean Games in Dominican Republic this summer and Franklin says the national championships is an opportunity for selection

“The teams are not set yet and it’s not entirely about how you do here as there might be play-offs or trials that we'll have to do as well,” Franklin said.

“But we try to tell the players how important these results can be and a lot of weight goes on your national ranking.”