It was only when he was two games and 14-11 down that Adrian Grant really started playing squash effectively.

Despite facing three match points in the final round of qualifying, the 23-year-old Englishman began playing his shots and forced his way back into the game to claim an inspirational victory which earned him the right to take on eighth seed Jo Kneipp in today's main draw.

Throughout the one hour and 41 minutes of yesterday's encounter with former world number five Dan Jensen, Grant, ranked 17 in the world, played squash with a grace and beauty that deserves to be displayed on the larger stage - as it will be when he takes to the glass showcourt in the final match of today's opening session.

“I just wasn't hitting to length,” said Grant, whose high ranking normally earns him an automatic place in tournament main draws.

“But when it got to the stage that I was facing match balls, I realised I had to do that. Dan is a great squash player and if you put it on his racquet he will make you pay.

“I was just hitting the ball about an inch short all the time and he was making me suffer. But once I got the depth right, things came together.”

After a game of such marathon proportions, you'd think Grant would be concerned about raising his game for another draining trip to the court - not so.

“I feel fine,” continued Grant, who slept in the Hamilton Princess last night after a few days staying with a local family - his prize for making the final 16.

“I feel 100 percent. I have always been able to recover well from long games. I am young enough that I can do it and I will be ready to go when I step on to court for the main draw.”

Grant will be joined there by fellow Briton Mark Chaloner, the Professional Squash Association president, and the 22nd best player in the world.

The 31-year-old conquered Australian Paul Price in a four-game match to book a date with former world number one Jonathan Power, the only player in the top ten he has never beaten.

Lacking the killer blow despite dominating rallies, Chaloner, whose sensational fitness makes up for any deficiencies in shot-making, went down 15-13 in the opening game before claiming the next three against an increasingly frustrated Price.

“It was just a matter of staying calm and concentrating on my own game,” said Chaloner, whose opponent was given a conduct warning as his frustration with the referee boiled over into more than just the odd profanity.

“I lacked a bit of confidence in the first game but things improved after that and I just played my shots.”

Price, who was robbed of a place in the top ten by a back injury earlier in his career, was not the only player to let their game suffer due to frustrations.

Peter Barker was the first qualifier to book himself on the next flight out of Bermuda, going down to Graham Ryding in straight games in the day's opener.

The young Englishman spent most of his 60 minutes on court with a look of utter disdain for the referee, his opponent and himself, and failed to control his temper or live up to his potential to hand Ryding a tie with fellow countryman Lee Beachill later today.

Finn Olli Tuominem was the fourth qualifier to make it through, despite losing to four points in the first game against Ben Garner, and he now faces Bermudian resident Dave Palmer.