VIDEO: Duncalf opens up British Open bid in clinical style

After an injury-hampered 2012, the 30-year-old from Harrogate, is seeded eighth for the event but, since the turn of the year, has slowly returned to the kind of form which saw her become world No 2 for more than three years.

American qualifier Khan, one of the most experienced players on the women’s world Tour, was always expected to struggle at Pontefract Squash Club against Duncalf, who started brightly and never relinquished control, taking just 24 minutes to ease through to the second round on the back of a 11-4, 11-2, 11-2 victory.

Duncalf, who enjoys a rest day today, will be in action next at the KC Stadium tomorrow, where she will face Egyptian Nour El Tayeb, who caused something of a surprise in defeating ninth seed Camille Serme, from France, on the adjoining court.

“No matches are simple but it was as good as it can get for a first rounder,” said Duncalf afterwards. “I felt quite sharp and I was just itching to get out there and play. I was pleased with my performance and I didn’t give her too much of a look-in so I’m happy.

“I just wanted to get a good start in each game and be consistent throughout without letting her in too much or suffering any slips of concentration and I managed to do that.”

In the men’s draw, Leeds’s James Willstrop was forced to earn a second round spot the hard way by world No 18 Stephen Coppinger.

Willstrop admitted he had been handed a tough opening match and so it proved, with the third seed taking four games to edge out his South African opponent 12-10, 11-8, 9-11, 12-10.

The Yorkshireman will now face Germany’s Simon Rosner tomorrow night, after he defeated England’s Adrian Waller 11-4, 12-10, 8-11, 11-6.

Defending champion Nick Matthew returns to action tonight against the Netherlands’ Laurens Jan Anjema.