Local lad James Stout hopes to do Bermuda proud when he steps out onto the spectacular all-glass court to make his bow in the biggest squash tournament on the planet.

The wild-card entry is up second in the Endurance World Open Championship's curtain raiser tomorrow against top-notch Aussie Stewart Boswell at the Fairmont Southampton Princess.

Stout had originally been scheduled to open the week-long extravaganza against Egyptian Mohammad Abbas, ranked 14th in the world, before the withdrawal of a trio of players forced a new draw to be made.

"To be honest I don't mind being second on court," said Stout, who coaches at the prestigious New York Racquet Club. "By that time the crowd should have settled down and I'll be able to relax and concentrate on my game.

"Boswell's ranked one behind Abbas in 15th, but I've already played Abbas and he took me apart so at least I'll have a fresh start against Boswell!"

Smiths-boy Stout admits the nerves are jangling ahead of tomorrow's battle with Boswell with the encounter to be beamed into 2.1 billion households around the world. But ever the realist, the severe underdog has dampened any talk of an upset and is merely looking to perform to the best of his ability, letting the rest take care of itself.

"It would be unrealistic to expect an upset and I'll just try and take him as far as I can," said Stout, who arrived back on the Island from his Big Apple base earlier this week. "Hopefully I won't get dragged around the court too much. I should have the backing of the supporters and you can never write off the importance of that.

"I'm looking to enjoy myself and I'm delighted to be playing in the biggest squash tournament in the world — in Bermuda. That's the mentality I'm adopting and therefore the whole thing seems less daunting."

A veteran of last year's Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Stout said the match will mark the highlight of his career and is aiming to savour every moment of it.

"I've played in the Commonwealth Games but this is undoubtedly the biggest game of my life. I've been down to the court and was very impressed — it looks fantastic.

"I knew a wild-card was up for grabs for the winner of the National Championships in February and I came back with that in mind. Thankfully, I managed to beat Nick Kyme and this is my reward."

Although Stout lost to English club pro Patrick Foster in the final, his victory over fellow Bermudian Kyme in the national semi-finals made him the top Bermudian performer.

World number one Amr Shabana, of Egypt, kicks-off the Championships taking on France's Renan Lavigne. Shabana should feel at home in Bermuda after winning the Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters in April 2006. In the other games defending champion, and Bermuda resident, David Palmer will also be in action.

Yesterday Bermuda's quartet of Patrick Foster, Nick Kyme, Chase Toogood and Melrindo Caines were all defeated in the Championship's qualifying tournament at Devonshire Squash Club against professional opposition.

National squash coach and former pro Patrick Foster lost to USA's Julian Illingworth 11-6, 11-4, 11-8 in 35 minutes. Fellow ex-professional Nick Kyme went down to Miguel Angel Rodriguez, of Columbia, 11-5, 11-8, 11-3 in 24 minutes.

Melrindo Caines lost to Mexico's Eric Galvez 11-0, 11-2, 11-5 in 15 minutes, and Kiwi Kashif Shuja beat Chase Toogood 11-6, 11-6, 11-3 in 24 minutes.

The four had been working towards the qualifiers for months, fitting in training sessions in between work and family commitments.

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