Only two months earlier, Nicol had become the first Briton ever to reach No. 1 in the PSA World Rankings - deposing Jansher Khan, who had held No. 1 for an almost unbroken period of ten years.

Later in 1998, in the men's final of the Commonwealth Games in Malaysia - squash's triumphant debut in this prestigious multi- sport event - Nicol beat his long-time adversary, Jonathon Power, in five games to take the first ever squash gold medal -- in a match seen live on TV in many countries around the world.

In December 1999, however, Nicol was unable to retain the British Open crown, succombing to Jonathon Power (and to food poisoning) in the final. TOC will be his first opportunity to rejoin the battle with Power.

Nicol was born in lnverurie, near Aberdeen, which is the oil capital of Europe on the east coast of Scotland. The left-hander won his first PSA Tour titles in 1992. 1997 was a pivotal year for Nicol - in which he won four PSA Tour events.

After spending his early years in Scotland, where his father, Pat, was the Scotland team coach, and sister Julie a leading national player, Peter now lives in Chingtord, east London, where he trains with England team coach Neil Harvey.

His achievements in squash were recognized in a distinctive manner in June, 1999 -- he was awarded an MBE ('Member of the British Empire') by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in the annual 'Queen's Birthday Honours'. Jonah Barrington is the only other male squash player to have been recognized in this fashion.

As a youngster, Peter was a talented soccer player. Today, like many of his contemporaries, he also enjoys playing golf, and he lists 'shopping' as his most enjoyable non-sporting pastime.