National Championships: Champion Perry stunned by Hull's Fiona Moverley

The 29-year-old world No 44, who is based in Hull, found it tough after losing the first game but hit back in style to close out the game 5-11, 11-6, 11-7, 12-10 after 40 minutes on court with Perry.

“I’d forgotten she was defending champion, but we had a tough five-setter here last year,” said Moverley,”.

“So I wanted to see if I could get my revenge. I tried to play safe on match ball but she played them well, I’ve never been so glad to see a tin as on that last point.”

Two-time champion Jenny Duncalf got her bid for a third title under way in confident style in Manchester yesterday, comfortably seeing off the challenge from Leonie Holt in straight games.

The 33-year-old former world No 2, from Harrogate, won the event previously in 2007 and 2009, and has twice been a runner-up.

She kicked off the women’s draw at the National Squash Centre on the new show court with a relatively straightforward win and was only on the court for 22 minutes.

“I’ve played here so many times so I’m very relaxed here, but it’s always good to get a tournament started with a win,” said Duncalf, starting her 16th straight Nationals campaign.

“The venue looks great and having two glass courts for a Nationals is special.”

Duncalf will now meet Sarah Campion in today’s second round, the 32-year-old world No 106 from Halifax.

Campion, who defeated Duncalf at the British Open two years ago, made her way through to the next stage with an 11-9, 11-8, 11-6 win over Rachel Chadwick.

In the men’s draw, defending champion and top seed Nick Matthew eased through to set up a second round tie with fifth seed Adrian Waller after seeing off Chris Ryder 11-6, 11-9, 11-4.

Second seed and two-time winner James Willstrop, from Harrogate, was giving a tough test by qualifier Adam Murrills before emerging an 11-9, 11-6, 1-11, 11-8 winner.

Chris Simpson, also based in Harrogate, beat Ben Coleman 11-7, 11-3, 9-11, 13-11.