Houdet, the tournament's number one seed, collected a 6-3, 6-4 straight sets win over Australian Ben Weekes at the Chikuho Heights Tennis Courts in Iizuka.

Another Frenchman, Nicolas Peifer also progressed, claiming a 6-0, 6-2 win against Ryoichi To of Japan. 

The Netherlands' Maikel Scheffers was also victorious.  

The former French and Australian Open champion failed to lose a game in a 6-0, 6-0 win over Koji Sugeno of Japan.

Great Britain's Alfie Hewett joined compatriot Gordon Reid in round two.

Paralympic champion Reid was victorious yesterday while Hewett beat Ho Won Im of South Korea 6-4, 6-4 in today's action.

Quad singles world number one Dylan Alcott of Australia began the defence of his title in Japan against his Rio 2016 Paralympic doubles gold medal-winning partner Heath Davidson today.

It was Alcott, the top seed, who prevailed in three sets 7-5, 2-6, 6-2.

The United States' world number two David Wagner beat fellow American Steven Baxter 6-0, 6-0 while former finalist Tzu-Hsuan Huang of Chinese Taipei was beaten in straight sets by Britain's Andy Lapthorne, seeded third, 6-1, 6-1.

South Africa's world number four, Lucas Sithole, was forced to come from a set down to reach the quarter-finals.

He fell behind to Shota Kawano of Japan after the home favourite took the opening set 6-3.

Sithole responded by taking the second 6-4 before wrapping up the victory in the third, 6-0.

In the women's singles, the top eight all received byes into the second round.

There were a number of round one matches today, however, with Emi Suda of Japan defeating Thailand's Chanungarn Techamaneewat 6-0, 7-6.

In an-all Japanese affair, Saki Takamuro defeated Kanae Kodama 6-3, 6-3.

Dana Mathewson of the US also made it through after dominating Japan's Naomi Ishimoto, 6-1, 6-1.

Action is due to continue tomorrow.