Peter Nicol and Thierry Lincou, both former world champions, produced some electrifying squash as the Randall & Quilter Legends tournament got off to an exciting start at the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association last night.

Frenchman Lincou came from behind to upstage his highly decorated British rival — who once topped the world rankings for a remarkable 60 months — in the opening group 1 match, winning 10-12, 11-5, 11-8.

Nicol, who is also a two-times Commonwealth Games gold medallist, got the better of Lincou in the first game.

Lincou, who compiled seventeen Professional Squash Association Tour wins, changed his shirt during the short break between games and with it his fortunes as he won the second to draw level and force a winner-takes-all third game.

The deciding third game remained evenly poised before a series of errors by Nicol enabled Lincou to pull away to win the contest.

Both men fought extremely hard for every point and were more than deserving of the rousing applause they received from the sellout crowd, who were treated to some masterful and cunning stroke play and marathon rallies.

“It was a joy playing against Peter,” Lincou said. “I think we did great tonight.

“I am very happy and delighted to be back here and looking forward to the next one.”

Nicol, who was involved in a series of comical debates with the referee over disputed calls, gave as good as he had, but on this occasion it just was not to be his night.

“He [Lincou] was lucky tonight,” Nicol joked afterwards.

Also taking to the court last night was Bermuda’s Nick Kyme who lost his opening group 2 match with former world No 1 player John White, of Australia, 11-8, 11-9.

It was a respectable showing for Kyme, the three-times Bermuda national champion, against one of the hardest strikers of the ball in squash.

“It’s amazing,” Kyme said. “These guys are legends of squash and to be on court with them is a highlight for me.

“I was hoping we played best of about twenty because I think I’m fitter than he is. I have a few years junior, so I was hoping for that.”

Kyme and White were tied at 9-9 in the second game, but White cranked it up another notch and won the next two points to win the match.

“I was thinking I can win this game,” Kyme said. “But I didn’t play to the end.”

White added: “When it gets that close it doesn’t matter who you are playing. They hit a winner they have game ball and all of a sudden the whole game strategy changes because you have one rally to put it together and if you don’t you lose a game and have to come back and start again.

“It’s always good when you get a one-sided crowd routing for the Bermudian. [Kyme] had a few years off but when he was on the Tour he was a danger. He’s a nice guy and a great asset for Bermuda squash.”

The remaining group 1 match saw former world No 1 and multiple Commonwealth Games gold medallist Lee Beachill, of England, prevail against compatriot Simon Parke, who is a past US Open and British National champion, 11-9, 11-3.

In the remaining group 2 match, David Palmer, of Australian, beat Canadian Jonathan Power 11-7, 11-9.