Matthew and Willstrop start well in Philadelphia

The 31-year-old world No1 and top seed for the tournament in Philadelphia saw off the Australian’s challenge 11-4, 11-5, 11-8, but found himself out on court for 50 minutes before progressing.

Leeds’s James Willstrop safely negotiated his way into the second round following a 11-9, 11-8, 12-10 triumph over Alister Walker, his one-time England team-mate and fellow Leeds resident, who now represents his native Botswana.

“I’d heard of Zac as an upcoming player for a while, but never played him before,” said Matthew, who is firm favourite for the title due to the absence of world No 2 Ramy Ashour.

“Coming out of the AIS I knew he’d move well and be a clean striker of the ball, so I wanted to make sure I started out strongly.”

The Yorkshireman will now play Egypt’s Omar Mossad, who beat Australia’s Cameron Pilley. World No 4 Willstrop will line up against fellow Englishman Daryl Selby, who beat German qualifier Simon Rosner.

Elsewhere, fifth-seeded Londoner Peter Barker, who Matthew defeated in the quarter-finals of last month’s British Grand Prix, beat Finland’s Olli Tuominen 11-3, 11-2, 11-9.

1st round results

[1] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [Q] Zac Alexander (AUS) 11-4, 11-5, 11-8 (50m)

Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt Cameron Pilley (AUS) 11-9, 11-8, 11-8 (60m)

Tom Richards (ENG) bt [Q] Tarek Momen (EGY) 7-11, 11-3, 11-9, 13-11 (61m)

[7] Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) bt Stewart Boswell (AUS) 8-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-4 (64m)

[5] Peter Barker (ENG) bt Olli Tuominen (FIN) 11-3, 11-2, 11-9 (40m)

Hisham Mohamed Ashour (EGY) bt [Q] Alan Clyne (SCO) 11-8, 12-10, 9-11, 11-4 (49m)

Daryl Selby (ENG) bt [Q] Simon Rosner (GER) 7-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-3 (71m)

[3] James Willstrop (ENG) bt Alister Walker (BOT) 11-9, 11-8, 12-10 (43m)