“I am really happy to play the British Open, this is the third time and I am loving Hull, the tournament as well! Thanks to the crowd, because from the beginning they are there, like it is the final of a Gold event or something!

“I am happy to get my revenge. In the final at Canary Wharf, all credit to him because he played some superb squash, but I was not prepared for the final. It was a tough battle today, tough mentally for me. I want to get my revenge, and I am happy to go through!

“When Mohamed [ElShorbagy] lost today, I think all the top seeds got a bit panicked, all credit to Raph [Kandra]. I love to come here every year, but to play Fares first round is unbelievable, seeing as I just played him in the final [at Canary Wharf]. Thanks guys, for coming today, I know it is a tough day, during the afternoon, but thanks for coming and supporting us, I really appreciate it!”

Nouran said

“It is one of my favourite courts. I like to play here, I feel comfortable. Siva played very well, though, and took it on from the very beginning. It wasn’t easy, for sure, but I just had to dig in and find a way to win in the end.

“Physically, I am feeling good. Since Windy City, I have had back-to-back events, with Black Ball and the Nationals, and now straight to here. All the big events of the year back-to-back. I am happy with the way my body is holding itself, and fingers crossed it can hold up until the end of this tournament, Obviously I am very happy with the way I am playing right now.

“There are many challenges. If anyone thinks it is going to be easier, then they are wrong. It [Nour El Sherbini’s absence] is an opportunity for everyone to get through, to win, which makes the women’s game unbelievably strong right now. It is tricky to think like that right now. Obviously I want to win it, but I am taking it match by match, and I just want to win the next match.

“Sabrina [Sobhy] is a very good player. we came through juniors together and she has been improving. We have played a couple of times this season, at the US Open and in Cincinnati, so we know each other’s games pretty well. I am sure it will be a good match, and may the best player win.”

Ali said

“I saw him yesterday battling away with it [hamstring problem], so I knew he was going to be tough today. I watched him thoroughly for the first time yesterday, and I could see glimpses of the Nick Matthew coaching, and I could see that he is very dangers and very hungry.

“I had to be on my mettle from the very beginning, I didn’t really think much about his hamstring. The first match is always tricky, you just want to get into a good rhythm before starting to think about your opponent. I did that well in the first and the second. The third, he hit a few winners and I zoned out a little bit, which I shouldn’t but all credit to him for making it tough.

“I have never won the British Open, which after the World Championships is the most important tournament for any squash player. My goal really, is to be World No.1 at the end of the season. In the middle of the season, it’s about playing more tournaments, different scheduling and so on, it can go back and forth. For me, the end of the season is the goal, and for now I am only focussed on hopefully lifting that trophy, but I have a long and tough road ahead of me. A potential former World Champion in Karim Abdel Gawad next up, so it will be interesting, and I will take it one match at a time.

“I played well in that event [Optasia Chamionships], beating a lot of good players, and I am hoping to carry that momentum on. We played the [Egyptian] Nationals as well, and I won that, so that gave me confidence. I am confident at the moment, but I am sure everyone else is, and you see a lot of upsets in the tournament, so I have to be on my mettle from the get go, like today!”

“I have never played Cindy so I didn’t know what to expect. She had a great first round, which I watched so I noted a few things that she insists on doing in her game.

“Definitely, the first match is never easy, especially after being knocked out early in the last tournament so yeah, I am definitely happy to be through.

“I tried to take the positives out of each tournament, even if I had a bad loss, or one that I didn’t expect. I don’t go out of court thinking about the negatives only, I have to this about the positives and the negatives. I am thinking that Black Ball is just another event that gave me a new lesson.

“She [Georgina Kennedy] is an unbelievable player, she is very physical and she has improved a lot recently. A massive jump in a short period. We have trained together a couple of times, and it is enjoyable training with her. I am looking forward to it, that’s for sure!”