Farag was made to work hard for his place in the third round as he sealed a 11-4, 11-9, 8-11, 11-4 victory inside New York's Grand Central Terminal.

The 26-year-old, who can overtake Mohamed Elshorbagy as world number one if his Egyptian team-mate exits the tournament at the semi-final stage or sooner and he lifts the trophy, will face England's Daryl Selby in the next round.

"I grew up watching James, he is one of the players I look up to and it is never easy to share a court with him," said Farag.

 “He has better ball control, he is smarter than me. 

"I just try to play as fast as possible. 

"Thankfully, I was able to win and I am very happy to do so."

Farag's unseeded compatriot Omar Masaad sprung the biggest surprise on day three has he dispatched world number six Miguel Rodriguez of Colombia 7-11, 17-15, 11-6, 11-9 in a match which last 81 minutes.

New Zealand’s world number seven Paul Coll also progressed to round three as he beat American Todd Harrity 11-3, 11-3, 9-11, 11-8.

Tarek Momen of Egypt, seeded fourth, needed five games to get past team-mate Mohamed Abouelghar 10-12, 11-4, 4-11, 11-7, 11-6.

The women's tournament also began today, with former world number five Low Wee Wern of Malaysia among those to progress.

The Malaysian player overcame Mayar Hany of Egypt 12-10, 11-3, 6-11, 11-6 and will face another Egyptian in sixth seed Nouran Gohar tomorrow.

The top seeds, including the Egyptian duo of defending champion Nour El Sherbini and world number one Raneem El Welily, all enter the competition tomorrow.