Blatchford recorded one of the biggest wins of her career as she overcame India's Joshna Chinappa 3-0, marking the first time she has ever reached the second round of a Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Series tournament.

The tournament wildcard twice saved game point in the first to take it 13-11 in the tie-break and from then she began to dominate, securing a highly impressive 13-11, 11-4, 11-5 victory.

“That's a massive win for me – especially as I came into this tournament as the wildcard,” said Blatchford.

“It's a huge confident boost.

"She's a top 15 player, so to come in and win in three is a fantastic feeling and to be in the second round, and have another chance to play on the glass court at this stage, can only bode well for me in the future."

Sobhy, a quarter-finalist here last year, took just 20 minutes to defeat Belgian Nele Gilis in a comprehensive 11-5, 11-3, 11-1 win that saw her drop just nine points throughout.

Defending women's champion Raneem El Welily of Egypt and England's former world number one Laura Massaro were other notable winners while in the men's draw Hong Kong's Leo Au pulled off the shock of the day as he won a superb five-game thriller against world number eight Tarek Momen of Egypt.

Au matched Momen throughout the encounter, with his lob and drop style of play frustrating the Egyptian and tempting him into hitting winners from all angles – subsequently making too many errors and allowing Au to take advantage and win 5-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-9, 11-7.

“I think I had an easy run in qualification that allowed me to save some energy and focus on this match today – and I just wanted to play my best out there,” said Au.

“In the first game he started very well and was very sharp and focused but I just tried to get back to my game.

“Then when it got close in the last game, I really wanted to win it. I just tried to focus on each point and doing what I had to do to win each one.

“I'm excited to come back for the second round now and give it my best shot.”

Momen's compatriot Omar Mosaad, the 2016 World Championship runner-up, also crashed out in the first round as he fell victim to a masterclass performance from James Willstrop.

The 33-year-old Englishman rolled back the years with a stunning performance to claim a 11-5, 11-5, 11-1 victory.

Gregory Gaultier of France, seeded third, also won today.

He defeated qualifier Joe Lee of England 11-7, 11-7, 11-3.