Last time squash star Thierry Lincou came to Bermuda he did so with a nagging knee injury and the pressure of the world number one tag newly laden upon his shoulders ? and he lasted just one game.

But watching Lincou merrily stride into the Jessie Vesey Hall yesterday for photo opportunities and an opening practice, he looked like a man with not a worry in the world ahead of his first round match-up with local hero Nick Kyme on Monday in the first highlight of the Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters.

Seduced by Bermuda?s beauty last time around, Lincou, world champion as well as the top seed, brought wife Celine and daughter Jade along for the ride ? a first for him at any tournament, but certainly a sign that he is happier going into this event than last year.

?I feel much better than 2004,? said Lincou, defeated by Englishman Nick Matthew last year in the first shock of the tournament.

?I had a bad four months coming in to it and didn?t feel good. I had trouble with injury and I didn?t play well.

?But this year I am feeling really good. I am playing well and hope I can do much better here.?

Lincou?s opening game, at 6 p.m. on Monday, however, provides the 28-year-old with a game in which probably his wife will be his only fan.

The world number one will take on the only player ranked outside the top 31 when he takes to the court with Kyme, Bermuda?s number one and as clear a fan favourite as Lincou is the match favourite.

?Yes, it will be strange. I think everyone will be cheering for Nick, but that is okay,? said Lincou, who took the unprecedented step of warming up with the local player yesterday in advance of their showdown, his first outing on the state-of-the-art all-glass court.

?I hope we can put on a show for everyone. Nick is a good player so I will have to be on my toes. But, of course, the aim is to win the game and I hope to go on after that.

?I feel better about being the world number one, I can play without thinking about it. I just go out and play squash and hope to win some tournaments.?

Matthew, who also took a turn warming up with Kyme yesterday amid the increasingly impressive backdrop of the converted Bermuda High School for Girls gym, is hopeful he can match his exploits of last year.

The Yorkshireman proved to be the dark horse of the tournament, before the event was elevated from the $55,000 Open to the $120,000 Masters, beating first Lincou, world number one, and then downing Egyptian Amr Shabana, then world champion.

?I had a great year but two five-set games took it out of me,? said Matthew, who took a scooter tumble before victory over Lincou.

?By the next round, I didn?t have a lot left ? that was pretty much the story of my season.

?But I have another year under my belt now and I am better equipped to deal with the later rounds now. Plus going up in the rankings theoretically gives me easier draws so I won?t have to play world number ones in the first round.

?I am feeling strong going into the Masters and am hoping to put in a good account of myself.?

Matthew, seeded seven, is looking to get past the first round of the Masters for the first time when he takes on Shahid Zaman of Pakistan at the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association headquarters in Devonshire on Monday lunch-time.

The tournament continues throughout next week with the final scheduled for Saturday night.