The world number one and the tournament's top seed brushed aside Canadian qualifier Samantha Cornett in straight games.

It took just 25 minutes for the 21-year-old Egyptian to clinch an 11-2, 11-4, 11-6 victory on home soil.

The showpiece tournament was initially due to be played in December 2016, but was postponed due to "complications in the negotiations process".

It means this year will witness two Women's World Championships, with the 2017 edition due to take place in English city Manchester between December 9 and 17, alongside the men's event.

Malaysia's Nicol David successfully negotiated a tricky encounter with Indian Dipika Pallikal Karthik to get her bid to win an unprecedented ninth World Championship crown off to a winning start, prevailing 3-0.

David last won the title in Cairo in 2014 and made the perfect start today, winning 11-9, 12-10, 11-6 in 34 minutes.

"Dipika hits the ball very well and on this court I felt like my timing was a little out early on and I wasn't timing my shots," said David.

"I was opening up the court and allowing her too much time to attack.

"But I was pleased with how I worked through it to figure out my targets and I really found my groove in the third and felt like I was establishing my game."

Also making it through to round two was Egypt's Nour El Tayeb after she beat compatriot Hania El Hammamy 11-5, 11-6, 11-9.

The tournament's 10th seed, Annie Au of Hong Kong, also progressed with a comfortable 11-2, 11-8, 14-12 straight games win over Egypt's Rowan Elaraby.

There was also first round action at the men's El Gouna International Squash Open today.

Mohamed Elshorbagy was a comfortable winner on home soil.

Elshorbagy, who has now slipped to third in the world rankings which is his lowest position since September 2014, defeated Mathieu Castagnet of France 11-9,11-7, 13-11.

Mohammed's brother, Marwan Elshorbagy, was also a comfortable winner today as he claimed a 11-5, 13-11, 11-5 victory over compatriot Omar Mosaad.

The new world number one, Gregory Gaultier of France, was also a winner today.

He saw off Marwan Tarek of Egypt 11-6, 11-2, 11-6.

England's James Willstrop, the fifth seed, narrowly made it through to the next round as he got the better of Colombia's Miguel Angel Rodriguez 9-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 11-9 in a five game thriller.

Cameron Pilley of Australia was also victorious in a lengthy battle. 

Pilley was forced to come from behind to beat qualifier Campbell Grayson of New Zealand 6-11, 5-11, 11-3, 13-11, 11-9 in 97 minutes.

Round one action in both competitions is scheduled to continue tomorrow.