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Qualification for the Bermuda Masters is simple. Only the world's 31 top ranked players (as of January 1) are eligible, along with Bermuda’s “wild card” entry, Nick Kyme.

Not so simple is trying to forecast the likely winner.

Men’s professional squash used to be dominated by one individual at a time, but with so many superbly fit young players fiercely competing at the highest level, it is almost impossible to predict who might win. Strong contenders will include:

#1 Seed Amr Shabana

This exciting young Egyptian super star first came to prominence when he surprisingly won the World Open title in 2003, defeating Thierry Lincou in the final. He just capped the best season of his career in 2005 with four PSA titles including his second World Open title in December when he defeated David Palmer in the final to become the first player since the legendary Khans to take the title for a second time. Ranked #2 in January, this superb young player loves Bermuda and has already proved he is capable of beating anyone when playing at his best.

#2 Seed Anthony Ricketts

A super fit Australian, Anthony Ricketts was rapidly rising through the world rankings until 2004 when a knee injury forced him out of the game for seven months.

Not to be deterred, he fought his way back to full fitness and was ranked #3 in the world at the start of the year. His victories in 2005 included the Tournament of Champions in New York with wins against Nicol, Shabana and Lincou, and he showed this was no fluke by taking the British Open title, defeating James Willstrop in the final. No-one will be taking him for granted — with very good reason.

#3 Seed David Palmer

Palmer is well known to Bermuda squash fans due to the fact that he is currently based here on Island. This powerfully built Australian was ranked #4 in the world at the end of 2005, but had previously held both the #1 world ranking and the World Open title in 2002. He is continuing to make a comeback following a series of injuries, and proved his intentions by reaching the final of the World Open last December before losing to Amr Shabana. David will be keen to prove himself in front of a “home” crowd. He is one tough contender.

#4 seed Thierry Lincou

The first Frenchman to reach the world #1 ranking and to hold the World Open title, which he captured in 2004.

He has previously competed in Bermuda where he was a finalist in the 2003 Logic Bermuda Open narrowly losing to Malaysia’s Ong Beng Hee (currently ranked #15), and he lost to Lee Beachill in the 2004 Bermuda Open.

Lincou held the #1 ranking for much of 2005 but his drop to #5 in January shows just how tight it is at the top in squash.

#5 Seed James Willstrop

One of the tallest players on the circuit at 6’4”, this 22 year old Englishman based in Pontefract, Yorkshire, totally dominated England junior squash in every age group before claiming both the European and World Junior titles.

By 2005 he had firmly established himself as a world class player, rising to #2 in the rankings before slipping back to #6 in January.

Currently the highest ranked English player, he has an impressive series of victories under his belt, including Shabana, Palmer, Power, Ricketts, and Lincou. Tipped by many pundits to be a future world #1, watch out for him in this tournament.

#6 Seed Peter Nicol

The 33-year old Scot, Peter Nicol has held every major title in squash and has been the dominant squash player in the world for most of the past seven years. He has consistently held the #1 ranking, and also won the World Open in 1999, the first ever Commonwealth Games gold medal for squash in 1998, a silver in 2002 when he lost in the final to recently retired Canadian ace, Jonathan Power, and Commonwealth gold again earlier this month in Melbourne after a brilliant victory against David Palmer.

He is presently ranked #7 in the world but with his brilliant racket skills he can never be ruled out of any major tournament

#7 Seed Lee Beachill

Lee won the 2004 Bermuda Open title and then rose to #1 in the world rankings but was ranked #8 in January. This quiet Yorkshireman, also from Pontefract and a stable mate of Willstrop, is one of the most consistent players on tour and will be determined to regain his winning ways in Bermuda.[[In-content Ad]]

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