Malaysia's Nicol David won her opening match at the El Gouna International Squash Open ©PSA

Malaysia's Nicol David earned progress in the first round of the El Gouna International Squash Open to set up a tie with defending champion and top seed Raneem El Welily of Egypt.

David recorded a 11-7, 6-11, 13-11, 6-11, 11-8 win against wild card Jana Shiha of Egypt at El Gouna Squash Centre.

El Welily had received a bye in the first round of the Professional Squash Association Platinum event. 

Australia's Cameron Pilley will meet the top seed in the men's competition, Egypt's Ali Farag, following an 11-1, 11-4, 6-11, 11-5 victory against Farag's compatriot Mazen Gamal.

The first round also produced a number of upsets, with Spain's Iker Pajares, ranked 59th in the world, beating France’s Lucas Serme 11-8, 11-5, 11-7.

Serme sits 26 places above Pajares in the PSA world rankings. 

Spain's Iker Pajares caused an upset against France’s Lucas Serme in the opening round of the El Gouna International Squash Open ©PSA
Spain's Iker Pajares caused an upset against France’s Lucas Serme in the opening round of the El Gouna International Squash Open ©PSA

Pajares will attempt to continue his run against Omar Mosaad, who will have home support from the Egyptian crowd. 

"It’s going to be my first time playing Omar Mosaad, I’m also going to play him in two week’s time at the Wimbledon Open and I think it’s going to be a good pace," said Mosaad.

"I know how he plays and we’ll see how close I am.”

England’s Julianne Courtice sprung a shock in the women's tournament, beating Joey Chan who is 23 places above her in the rankings, 11-7, 9-11, 17-15, 11-13, 11-8.

After defeating Hong Kong's number two, Courtice faces the country's number one in the next round, Annie Au.

The second round will be played tomorrow.