Thierry Lincou and David Palmer look to be the favourites to advance to the final of the Randall & Quilter Legends of Squash tournament after they both won their second straight matches at the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association courts last night.

Lincou, of France, started the night’s action off with a 12-10, 11-8 win over Lee Beachill, of England, in a clash between two first round winners. And after Jonathon Power, of Canada, overpowered Bermudian Nick Kyme 11-2, 11-2, the best was saved for last as the final two matches went into third games.

Peter Nicol, the Scot who finished his international career representing England, beat Englishman Simon Parke 12-10, 4-11, 11-6 for his first win while David Palmer, of Australia, held on to victory in a tense match against John White, of Scotland, 11-9, 6-11, 12-10, after White failed to close it off at match point when he put his shot into the tin.

“He’s such a strong player, I’m sure he does some secret training before these events,” White joked as he caught his breath.

“It’s always nice to come back here and I’m going to be sore tomorrow. I’m glad you guys enjoyed it,” he told the crowd.

Palmer acknowledged that White “let him off the hook” in the final game. “We’ve played a few times and it’s never easy, never comfortable,” Palmer said.

“It was like a rollercoaster, just holding on with balls flying. He’s very hard to read and with his power he hits it as hard as anybody. He had me tonight but let me off the hook at match point. I think everybody was sitting on the edge of their seat at the end of that game.”

Palmer and Lincou can book their place in the final with wins tonight against Kyme and Simon Parke. Lincou was impressive in his win over Beachill.

“I had to go back on the court and train a little bit for a Legends tournament two weeks ago to make sure I could move,” said Lincou, who has brought his family with him to Bermuda.

“Part of my game is to feel the game, anticipate and have the legs for it.”

His opponent had praise for him. “He’s still so good, in great shape and physically has been one of the best athletes in the world throughout his career,” Beachill said.

Power was happy to finish his game quickly against Kyme, having played a round of golf earlier at Mid Ocean Club.

“For squash it is tough, especially when you have so many people in such a small room,” he said. “They are sucking all the air out of the place.

“You can’t waste any energy; you have to finish it as quick as you can.”

Nicol was happy to play his part in one of the best matches of the night. “Simon and I have played so many times and it is always close,” said Nicol, who was taken to a third game by the stubborn Parke.

“After the first game, there was no more joking any more; there was no air left.

“I got really tired in the second game, I lost my way mentally and physically and just found it really tough.”