Yet, nothing much has changed in my life since I got to the top. Unlike tennis, my No 1 status hasn't attracted me any new sponsors. So I'm still at the same place I was before in monetary terms. This is very disappointing.

However, sine Prince is sponsoring my clothing and equipment, VW gives me a new car every year and Hashaway provides me with my strings, I'm doing okay.

Yet, my livelihood depends on how well I perform and play, which relates directly to the prize money I earn. There is no other source of income for me.

The PSA does not help players find sponsors, so it is all individual efforts involved. I have got a manager each in England and Scotland who work towards finding mesponsors. The amazing thing is that I do not have a sponsor from my own country, Scotland. It gets really frustrating at times. My manager is still working towards finding me a sponsor in Scotland, but I have given up hope.

There is a lot money in Scotland, but the big companies want nothing to do with squash. We've been trying to host a PSA event there, but have failed to attract a sponsor till date.

Coming back to the squash, things are beginning to hop up now. Just imagine a world No 2 and No 5 meeting in round of 32. Barada and Martin Heath, the new No 5, face off and the match will surely be a cliff-hanger.

Both Barada and Heath had difficult first round matches. While Barada dropped only one game to Australian Joseph Kneipp, Heath was taken the distance by another Australian youngster, Anthony Ricketts. Heath was looking tired as the match progressed, but managed to win in five after being 2-1 down at one stage.

Ricketts is training under the great Geoff Hunt and has a great future. He,alongwith Stewart Boswell, are the younger brigade from Australia. There is also Dan Jenson, who has now become the highest ranked Australian in the world at No 6, one above Rodney Eyles.

Things are surely changing in the world of squash with the old guard slowly being relegated to the back seat. Jansher has slipped at No 8, while Ahmed Barada has jumped into the No 2 slot. I'm happy for Paul Johnson, who has come into the top four of the world for the first time in his career.

I'm looking forward to going into the desert and visiting the inland sea. That should be exciting. I've been here six years but not got an opportunity to go into the desert. A few of the guys have been there and have found it an exhilarating experience.