The Egyptian star showed little sign of rustiness on the opening day of the first major squash event since the coronavirus pandemic ground the PSA World Tour to a halt.

ElShorbagy took just 34 minutes to sweep aside Kandra 11-8, 11-5, 11-8 at the National Squash Centre.

Reigning world champion and fourth seed Tarek Momen is also through after he overcame Qatar's Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi.

The Egyptian was made to work hard for his place in round two as he earned an 8-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-9 victory to set up a meeting with either Egypt's Mohamed Abouelghar or George Parker of England.

"It feels a lot more like practice [with no fans], of course the nerves and tension are there but when I hit a dropshot and nobody is sat outside watching I probably think I’m back home practicing," Momen said. 

"We’re getting used to it, I watched a lot of tennis before coming here, so I’m getting the vibe of playing in front of no audience.

"It will definitely affect each player in a different way. 

"I would like to think of myself as someone who can push through regardless. 

"We miss having people watching and cheering because that’s what we play for, but there are people watching and just behind a screen and not here."

Paul Coll of New Zealand, seeded fifth, joined Momen in progressing to the second round as he beat Baptiste Masotti of France 11-9, 9-11, 11-5, 11-6.

Coll's next opponent will be Fares Dessouky of Egypt, who ousted Alan Clyne of Scotland 11-4, 13-11, 11-1.

In the women's draw, top seed and World Games gold medallist Camille Serme of France reached the second round by defeating American Sabrina Sobhy 11-5, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6.

Egypt's Hania El Hammamy was among the other winners as she recorded an 11-7, 11-2, 11-3 win over France's Enora Villard.

The tournament in the English city continues tomorrow.