The three-times men's singles champion edged a tough battle in the first game, winning 14-12 in the tie break, then blitzed through the remaining games 11-4 and 11-3 to advance to the second-round.

"I'm very happy to be through," Farag said after the match at Union Station.

"Ramit and I played so many times in our college career and we played once on the PSA World Tour and he got the better of me.

"He was ahead in the head-to-head, I was happy to get one today and it was close in the first, I won that one and I think I was on top for the rest of the match.

"In all respects the movement after my injury and my squash, and my mental capabilities, it's been perfect timing to gear up for this one and I'm looking forward to the rest of the week."

In the women's singles, world number one Nouran Gohar produced a dominant display to seal her place in the second-round.

The top seed got the better of Egyptian compatriot Nour Aboulmakarim 3-0 in just 21 minutes. 

It was a comprehensive 11-4, 11-4, 11-3 scoreline which set up another all-Egyptian clash as Fayrouz Aboelhkeir awaits in the second-round.

"I'm happy with the way I played today and the way I dealt with the match," Gohar said.

"Obviously there's a lot of nerves going into the first round of the World Championships - the biggest event of the year - but happy with the way I was relaxed and I enjoyed myself on court today.

"I'm not really thinking about it (winning the World Championships) but it's a lifetime dream.

"I think I've achieved all the titles except the World Championships so it would mean a lot.

"I'm not really thinking about it - I'm just thinking about winning every match I'm playing."

There were no upsets on the opening day as all seeded players progressed to the next phase.

Play is set to continue tomorrow with the remaining men's and women's singles matches in the first-round.