Willstrop faces tough route back to final

But the 28-year-old Yorkshireman – who won the title back in 2005 – accepts he is going to have to do it the hard way by overcoming the world’s top two players.

His long-standing rivalry with Nick Matthew, Sheffield’s current world No 1, is well-documented, with several memorable clashes between the two in recent years.

Top seed Matthew – who eased into the second round last night with an 11-9, 11-4, 11-4 win over Pakistan’s Aamir Atlas Khan – is expected to reach the final. But if Willstrop is going to meet him there on Friday he knows he will have to overcome the ‘special’ talent that is Ramy Ashour, the world No 2 from Egypt.

Seeded fourth for the tournament, Willstrop plays his first round match today against Egyptian qualifier Mohammed Abbas and, should everything go according to seedings, can expect to meet Ashour in the semi-finals.

“He (Ashour) is a really special talent,” said Willstrop. “He is a genius with a squash racket in his hand and one of the best sportsmen I’ve ever seen.

Harrogate’s world No 2, Jenny Duncalf, begins her campaign against German qualifier Sian Wall today.