CANBERRA (Australia), Aug 10 World number one Nick Matthew demolished fellow Englishman Joey Barrington in straight games on the opening day of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Super Series Australian Open on Tuesday.

Matthew gave his opponent no chance as he stormed away to a 11-4, 11-4, 11-2 win.

Matthew took over the top position in the world rankings towards the end of last year and has subsequently staved off a trio of Egyptians, all of whom are playing this week.

“First match after three months break, first match of the tournament, first season starting as number one -- a lot of firsts really so I was just happy to get a match under my belt, build my confidence and get used to the court and the conditions,” he said.

“I was delighted to get off pretty comfortably, you always feel a bit better after you get the first match out of the way.”

Matthew will next play Egyptian Wael El Hindi, who beat Germany's Simon Rosner in four games 11-5, 8-11, 11-6, 11-7.

“With a solid player like Simon you know you have to be careful. I'm glad to get the win in four games, not five,” El Hindi said.

Also through was Englishman Peter Barker, an 11-4, 11-5, 11-3 winner over New Zealand qualifier Kashif Shuja.

Barker takes on fellow Englishman Adrian Grant in the second round after Grant ended the run of Hong Kong qualifier Max Lee 13-11, 11-5, 11-2.

World number 19 Ong Beng Hee of Malaysia upset English 15th seed Alister Walker 11-7, 14-12, 6-11, 6-11, 13-11 and will next face Egyptian third seed Amr Shabana.

Shabana took four games to oust Australian Ryan Cuskelly 11-8, 11-7, 12-14, 11-8.

Leading Australian David Palmer dropped the opening game before prevailing against India's Saurav Ghosal 10-12, 11-6, 11-5, 11-9 and will now play English sixth seed James Willstrop, who accounted for Australian Matthew Karwalski in straight games.

Results

Men's

First round Nick Matthew (ENG x1) bt Joey Barrington (ENG) 11-4, 11-4, 11-2; Wael El Hindi (EGY x11) bt Simon Rosner (GER) 11-5, 8-11, 11-6, 11-7; Peter Barker (ENG x8) bt Kashif Shuja (NZL) 11-4, 11-5, 11-3; Adrian Grant (ENG x13) bt Max Lee (HKG) 13-11, 11-5, 11-2; Amr Shabana (EGY x3) bt Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) 11-8, 11-7, 12-14, 11-8; Ong Beng Hee (MAS) bt Alister Walker (ENG x15) 11-7, 14-12, 6-11, 6-11, 13-11; James Willstrop (ENG x6) bt Matthew Karwalski (AUS) 11-9, 11-6, 11-3; David Palmer (AUS x10) bt Saurav Ghosal (IND) 10-12, 11-6, 11-5, 11-9.—AFP