The precociously talented world number five, James Willstrop, battled his way through a tough first round scrap with Canadian Shahier Razik on the opening day of the Bermuda Masters yesterday ? winning by three games to one.

On a bouncy squash club showcourt unsuited to the Yorkshireman?s naturally attacking game, and against a terrier of an opponent hell bent on running down every ball, Willstrop struggled to dominate as perhaps he should ? eventually prevailing 11-6, 9-11, 11-6, 11-8 in 61 demanding minutes.

In terms of repertoire of stroke, Razik had very little that could damage his six-foot-five opponent, though his speed around the court, particularly when dragged to the front, more than made up for his comparatively limited racquet skills.

The match, however, began according to the form book as Willstrop took the first game comfortably while looking largely in control of proceedings.

The 22-year old, who hails from Pontefract and is the highest ranked English player in the world at the moment, immediately stamped his authority on the second as well with an audacious forehand, cross-court volley nick to go one-love up ? a breathtaking shot which had the crowd whistling their appreciation and Razik looking somewhat bemused.

Slowly growing in confidence in the alien conditions, Willstrop?s length to the back corners became increasingly tight while his full range of disguise from the front had the world number 25 twisting and turning all over the place.

But just when Willstrop threatened to overwhelm him, Razik suddenly found another gear, doggedly clawing his way back into the game and eventually claiming it thanks to a succession of remarkable gets and one or two sloppy errors from Willstrop under pressure.

But normal service was resumed in the third, as Willstrop stepped up the court, took the ball earlier and forced the Canadian into a number of hurried mistakes.

Razik gave it his all in the fourth nonetheless, scrambling to pick up every ball and continually asking questions of Willstrop?s patience and resolve.

He was undermined, however, by an inability to put the ball away when presented with the opportunity, with Willstrop prevailing in two epic rallies when the score was nine-all to ultimately claim the game and the match.

Afterwards, a clearly relieved Willstrop admitted he had been pushed hard, although he insisted a lengthy work out was exactly what the doctor ordered.

?It was tough and I?m just glad to be off the court and finished with it,? he said.

?My natural game is more suited to the glass court where the ball doesn?t bounce as much. So on that court, against a player like Razik who picks up a lot of balls, it was very, very hard to put it away.

?This might actually work out in my favour because I?ve got a day off tomorrow and it?s probably a good thing to get a decent run to get some of the jet lag out the system.

?I came here early to acclimatise (from the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne) and I?ve been feeling awful for the last three or four days. But now I?m starting to feel normal again and hopefully after a day off I?ll come back strong.?

Willstrop won his first major professional tour event in Qatar last November, and has his eyes firmly set on claiming the most prestigious title in the sport bar the World Open.

?This is a massive event for us,? he said.

?Obviously the Commonwealth Games is extremely important, but in terms of ranking points and prize money, this is the title we all want and I?ll be doing everything I can to win.?

Meanwhile, in the day?s three other games at the squash club, Canadian Graham Ryding disposed of the 14th seed Olli Touminen of Finland in four closely-fought games, with Ryding eventually triumphing 11-6, 8-11, 12-10, 11-7.

Australian Stewart Boswell destroyed England?s Bradley Ball ? who was admittedly far from match-fit having only just returned from injury ? in straight games, 11-6, 11-5, 11-6 while Mohd Azlan Iskandar from Malaysia, the world number 13, defeated Peter Barker of England in four, 11-13, 11-7, 13, 11-8.