The organising body is already been slated by the players, even before proceedings get underway.

Kim Huybrechts has slammed a rule that requires a player to perform twice on the opening night of play, saying it is at the detriment to the players and the overall quality.

The controversial format sees the winner of the opening match of the tournament return later in the evening to take on the defending champion.

Thibault Tricole is first up to the stage on Sunday where he will face Australian Joe Comito, with the winner of that match to return later on to battle the holder Luke Humphries.

The reigning champion is one of 32 high-ranking players who will enter the competition at the second-round stage, but Humphries will now receive what could pan out as an additional warm-up match.

Huybrechts is having none of it, making his distaste known.

“I think it’s outrageous that they are doing this. Really outrageous, I don’t think that’s acceptable,” Huybrechts told the Double Top podcast.

“It has happened once so far that the reigning world champion was straight out and that was John Part.

"For the rest, we haven’t even come close to such a shock. Other than Kevin Doets last year against Michael Smith.

“Now we have Tricole against Comito. The latter comes all the way from Australia and maybe he’s going to surprise.