For the third time in recent history, the world number 21 defeated higher ranked opposition in the first round in Nottingham to set up a second round tie against Belgian sixth seed Joachim Gérard.

"I don't know what it is about the British Open, maybe it's the home crowd, but I've had some good results here over the past few years and I'm really pleased with today," Phillipson said following his victory.

"I've made some changes to my forehand recently and it was really firing today.

"I play Joachim next, so it won't be easy but I'm looking forward to it."

A total of six Britons successfully navigated the first round, including national number one Gordon Reid, who dispatched of world number 13 Satoshi Saida of Japan in straight sets, and number two Marc McCarroll, who dropped to just one game in his win over Israel's Genadi Kohanov.

British number one Gordon Reid made his way through to the next round with a comprehensive win over Satoshi Saida

McCarroll will now face Dutch world number seven Ronald Vink, who defeated Briton Dermot Bailey 6-3, 6-1 to secure his place in the second round.

The dominant force and world number one in junior wheelchair tennis, Britain's Alfie Hewett, will face up against former junior world number one and current senior world number five Gustavo Fernandez of Argentina for a place in the quarterfinals after dropping just one game in a dominant win over Dutchman Pim Palmen.

"I thought I played well today and I served well, so it's a nice start to the tournament," said Hewett.

"I'm glad I'm playing someone I've never played before next and I'm just going to go out and give it my best."

Two-time champion and former world number one Maikel Scheffers of the Netherlands came through his first round tie without dropping a game against Meir Ben Abu of Israel, which will see him face Briton Paul Stewart in the second round.

Just four games took place in the women's singles to determine the last 16, with British junior number one Lauren Jones securing her place in the next round over compatriot Val Fisher to set up a daunting tie against world number two Aniek van Koot of the Netherlands, while Japan's Miho Nijo will face the ultimate test against world number one Sabine Ellerbrock of Germany in the next round after she defeated Britain's Laura Coteman.

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