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They are the world's best, competing in Bermuda for a share of the $175,000 prize purse. But who are they?

As a sport that lives on the fringes of the mainstream media in much of the western world, squash's elite has to live in the shadow of the more illustrious tennis and golf stars that hog the sporting headlines.

But with three world champions in the World Open field and competition so intense that any of the top 16 has a realistic chance of winning, it promises to provide more competitive drama than Wimbledon or the U.S. Open could ever hope to offer.

Club pro Patrick Foster, who will compete in the qualifying rounds, said: "They are all beating each other. You're seeing 80-minute games that finish 3-2 one way or the other. In a major tournament like this the quarter-finals are just as competitive and exciting as the semis and the final."

Foster, who has played with and against many of the players in the tournament, helped James Whittaker profile the top seeds ahead of Sunday's first round.

Amr Shabana

Nationality: Egyptian

Age: 28

World Ranking: 1

Seeded: 1

Already a crowd favourite in Bermuda after wining the hearts of the public as well as the PSA Masters here in April last year. The quiet, unassuming Shabana is a legend in Egypt, where squash is one of the national sports. He's a left-hander who is renowned for his movement around the court,

Extremely talented and an unbelievable athlete, Shabana has won the World Open twice before and is intent on claiming his third title. "He's got the game across all parts - fitness, speed, tactics, mental strength. He's the man to beat," says Foster.

Gregory Gaultier

Nationality: French

Age: 24

World Ranking: 3

Seeded: 2

Current British Open champion Gregory Gaultier has punched through the glass ceiling in the past 18 months to become one of the world's best. He carries himself with an enigmatic Gallic arrogance that has drawn comparisons to the legendary French footballer Eric Cantona. Despite appearances he has a reputation as a gentleman off the court and ran clinics with Bermuda's youngsters last time he was on the island.

One of the emerging talents of the game, Gaultier leapfrogged his more illustrious compatriot Thierry Lincou in the world rankings for the first time this year. "He's got a real strut around the court," says Foster.

David Palmer

Nationality: Australian

Age: 31

World Ranking: 4

Seeded: 3

Bermuda resident Palmer is back to defend his crown and can expect to have the local crowd on his side. The 31-year-old Aussie lives here for three months a year and has been involved in various exhibitions at the Devonshire club. He's played against Bermuda's James Stout and Nick Kyme, whom he beat in the first round of last year's PSA Masters, and is a hugely popular character. "He's won everything there is to win in the game and is one of the more experienced performers in the draw."

James Willstrop

Nationality: English

Age: 24

World Ranking: 5

Seeded: 4

Something of a squash prodigy, long-haired Yorkshireman Willstrop is England's most successful junior ever, winning national titles at every age group as well as the World and European Championships.

He was hospitalized with food poisoning at last year's World Open in Cairo but has bounced back to move up the world rankings this year, He's part of a trio of Yorkshiremen who have made it to the top eight, including his mate Lee Beachill, who he plays in a band with.

Foster, who played against all three at junior and senior level, rates Willstrop highly.

"He was always flashy, loads of talent. He was not as strong physically as some of the others but that is a side of his game he has improved."

Nick Matthew

Nationality: English

Age: 27

World Ranking: 6

Seeded: 5

While Britain may still be waiting in vain for an Englishman to win Wimbledon, Matthew broke a similar jinx in squash when he became the first homegrown player to win the British Open for 67 years, claiming the title in 2006. He beat Frenchman Thierry Lincou, Egyptian world no 2 Ramy Ashour and compatriot James Willstrop to claim the U.S. Open title earlier this year. Another of the Yorkshire cartel, Foster believes he has improved tremendously. "He has phenomenal fitness. Even as a kid he was doing cross-country before squash training. He's always been strong physically but his squash has improved more than anything,"

Thierry Lincou

Nationality: French

Age: 31

World Ranking: 7

Seeded: 6

Came to Bermuda as world number one in 2005, but has since fallen down the rankings.

Even so, Lincou retains his status as the best French player of all time. A former world champion, he remains one of the most consistent players on the tour. "He's the kind of guy who likes the big stage and will be at his best at a tournament of this stature," said Foster of the stylish Frenchman.

John White

Nationality: Scottish

Age: 34

World Ranking: 10

Seeded: 7

Another crowd favourite John White is renowned as the hardest hitter in the game, clocking an amazing 170mph drive.

White is an extremely aggressive player who always goes for the jugular from the off. He was runner-up in the World Open in 2002 and though he is coming towards the end of his career he still retains a reputation as one of the most feared players in the game.

"He's another guy who has been to Bermuda a few times and is very popular here. I don't know if he will win it, but he could definitely take out one of the favourites," says Foster.

Lee Beachill

Nationality: English

Age: 30

World Ranking: 12

Seeded: 8

From the same Pontefract club as James Willstrop, where he is coached by Willstrop's father Malcolm. Beachill is a former World number one, two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist and World Open finalist.

His career almost never got off the ground after he broke his back in a car accident in 1996. But he returned to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

Now the dogged Yorkshireman faces the challenge of climbing back up the rankings after a barren run for the last couple of years.

Foster, who is the same age as Beachill and played him regularly at youth level, said: "He was always a very tactical player. He never beat you for power or fitness, he just outplayed you."[[In-content Ad]]

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