Gaultier dispatched Harrity 11-7, 11-6, 11-8 to end home hopes inside the iconic Grand Central Terminal.

The 35-year-old Frenchman, who became the first player of the modern era to play 700 matches, is due to take on English qualifier Tom Richards in the last 16.

Richards sprung a surprise to progress as he beat India’s Saurav Ghosal 11-8, 5-11, 11-8, 11-7 to claim his first victory in the main draw of a World Series tournament since February 2016.

"Seven hundred is not a nice number, I will make it to 1000, I’m sure," Gaultier said.

"I still feel good but I’ve been pretty upset with the last few months, coming back from an ankle injury was tough because I had to go to Qatar with no preparation at all."

He added: "I thought I would catch up with the matches but I never really felt comfortable.

"But over Christmas I managed to have three good weeks for the first time since summer, so I’m happy that I managed to have these weeks on the court, which will probably make a difference."

England's James Willstrop, the world number 13, set up a meeting with compatriot Nick Matthrew in the second round after he overcame Cameron Pilley of Australia 11-6, 11-9, 11-3.

Matthew also safely negotiated his opening contest as he beat Frenchman Gregoire Marche 11-6, 11-8, 11-5.

Fourth seed Karim Abdel Gawad of Egypt is also through after he defeated Welsh qualifier Joel Makin 10-12, 11-4, 11-7, 11-7.

Nicolas Mueller of Switzerland, who fought back from two games down to edge England's Adrian Waller 7-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-5, awaits for Gawad in the last 16.

The tournament is due to continue tomorrow.