In the men’s event, former number one Farag is the top seed, and leads a strong Egyptian challenge for the event, including three previous world champions in Tarek Momen, Karim Abdel Gawad and Mohamed ElShorbagy, who has won this tournament three times.

The defending champion is Paul Coll, with the New Zealander entering this event on a high after climbing to the top of the world rankings.

Coll reached top spot, becoming the first man from his country to do so in the sport, during last month’s Windy City Open in Chicago in the United States, a tournament Coll went on to win.

Yesterday world number 16 Saurav Ghosal of India and world number 29 James Willstrop of England withdrew due to an abductor injury and a positive coronavirus test respectively.

In the women’s draw, world number one Nour El Sherbini of Egypt has withdrawn due to a hip injury sustained while competing at the Black Ball Open final against Gohar, who claimed victory in the match.

El Sherbini’s withdrawal deprives the British Open of its defending women’s champion, with Gohar taking the top seeding as a result.

El Sherbini’s compatriot Hania El Hammamy is the second seed, with American Amanda Sobhy, the world number four, and New Zealander Joelle King, the world number six, expected to contend for the title.

There is also a strong British contingent at the event, with Sarah-Jane Perry, the world number five leading the host challenge.

Competition at the PSA World Tour Platinum level event, which features a prize pot of $360,000 (£272,000/€329,000) is scheduled to run until April 3.

The top 16 men’s and women’s seeds receive byes through to round two.