The 34-year-old has won squash's oldest and most established tournament twice before, in 2007 and 2014.

Having gone undefeated in February, winning both the Swedish Open and the Windy City Open, he maintained his brilliant form today.

Gaultier brushed aside world number four Miguel Angel Rodriguez of Colombia 11-5, 11-4, 11-0 in just 30 minutes.

"I feel like I managed to move well out there today which is good because Miguel is obviously one of the fittest guys on tour," said Gaultier.

"I feel like I played well.

"I made a few finals here and I’ve won the event here too so hopefully I can play well here again this year."

Egypt's world number one Mohamed Elshorbagy opened his competition against compatriot Fares Dessouky with a hard fought 11-8, 10-12, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8 win.

The tournament's second seed Karim Abdel Gawad, another Egyptian, faced fellow countryman Omar Mosaad in round one. 

It was Gawad who emerged victorious, 13-11, 6-11, 11-2, 5-11, 11-6 with the match going the distance.

England's Nick Matthew arrived in Hull in good form after he claimed the sixth PSA Canary Wharf Classic title of his career earlier this month.

The Delhi 2010 and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games men's singles champion defeated Spain's Borja Golan 11-9, 11-6, 11-3.

In the women's singles competition, last year’s British Open runner-up Nouran Gohar of Egypt fell to a shock defeat in the opening round.

She was defeated by fellow Egyptian, 16-year-old qualifier Nada Abbas, 12-10, 14-12, 5-11, 11-8 in 45 minutes.

"It’s a great feeling, it’s the first time I’ve ever beaten anyone in the top 10, I can’t believe it," said Abbas.

"I tried to break her game and to not let her play a fast game. 

"I tried to slow things down a little bit and go for shots in the front more.

"There’s no pressure on me, so I want to play my best squash. 

"I want to go as far as I can, if I play like this then I could go to the quarter-finals."

Egypt's Nour El Sherbini got her defence of the women's crown off to a confident start as she disposed of Denmark's Line Hansen 11-5, 11-7, 11-3.

Malaysia's Nicol David defeated Olivia Blatchford of the United States 11-7, 11-7, 11-4 and England's Laura Massaro overcame India's Dipika Pallikal Karthik 11-4, 11-5, 11-13, 11-1.

Action is due to continue tomorrow with round two matches.