The Egyptian, who won the event 12 months ago, was facing an early exit but battled through to claim an 11-8, 10-12, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7 victory in 76 minutes to advance to the last 16.

"It was definitely a tough match today," said El Hammamy.

"Lisa took me by surprise to be honest.

"I wouldn’t say I played my best but I am glad to get through.

"All credit to Lisa, she is very talented and she really played well today.

"I couldn’t find my length or lines today.

"I got a little bit better at the end and hopefully it will get better with each round."

World number 17 Nadine Shahin held her nerve in a lengthy final game tie-break to beat Yathreb Adel.

The Egyptian duo went at it for nearly an hour before Shahin triumphed 11-4, 5-11, 11-8, 8-11, 15-13.

Defending champion Sarah-Jane Perry got her 2021 campaign underway in the best way possible with a convincing 11-2, 12-10, 11-6 victory over Egypt’s Mariam Metwally.

"Obviously I started rather well, but I know she is dangerous, particularly in the middle," said England’s Perry.

"She showed that at the start of the second so I was pleased to get back in there and win that."

Belgium’s Tinne Gilis looked full of confidence as she overcame Wales’ Emily Whitlock with an 11-5, 11-6, 11-8 success.

It was the pair’s first meeting on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour and world number 18 Gilis played without nerves in a highly accomplished performance to earn her place in round three.

Gilis will face world number one Nour El Sherbini of Egypt who downed American Sabrina Sobhy 11-7, 11-4, 11-5 in 22 minutes.

India’s Joshna Chinappa got the better of Egypt’s Hana Ramadan courtesy of an 11-6, 4-11, 11-8, 11-8 triumph to set up a third-round clash with El Hammamy.

American Olivia Fiechter made it through to the third round of a PSA World Tour Platinum event for the first time in her career after coming out on top against France’s Melissa Alves in a nail-biting 62-minute battle.

Fletcher triumphed 4-11, 11-9, 11-2, 12-14, 15-13 and can now look forward to a meeting with Perry in the last 16.

"I’m a little bit at a loss for words," said Fletcher.

"I haven’t had a battle like that in a very long time, so it feels great.

"Melissa is actually one of my closest friends on tour.

"It’s always tricky playing a friend, but I knew she was going to leave it all out there."

New Zealand’s world number eight Joelle King produced a comprehensive performance to see off Canadian Danielle Letourneau 11-7, 11-9, 11-4.

Competition is scheduled to continue tomorrow with the second day of women’s second round matches.

The women's event is scheduled to run until March 18, and is set to be followed by the men’s competition from March 19 to 25.