The start of competition at Eton Manor promises to be one of the highlights, as Netherlands Wheelchair Tennis ace Esther Vergeer looks to extend her streak as one of the most dominant sporting figures in history.

The remarkable Dutch athlete, 31, arrived at London 2012 on the back of an amazing 465-match winning streak.

She has held the world number one ranking since 1999 and has not lost a Singles match since 2003.

In a run from August 2004 to October 2006, Vergeer won 250 consecutive sets,only once requiring a tie-breaker.

She has won 42 grand slam titles (21 in Singles and 21 in Doubles), and five Paralympic Games titles (three in Singles, two in Doubles), including beating fellow Dutchwoman Korie Homan 6-2 4-6 7-6 in the Singles final at Beijing 2008.

Everybody expects me to win gold and for it to be easy, but it's not and maybe the mental part is the toughest part.

Ester Vergeer, on her 465-match winning streak

In all of the known history of sport, she is second only to Pakistan's squash king Jahangir Khan, who won 555 consecutive matches in a five-year span from 1981 to 1986.

But for someone who is so accustomed to cruising to victory, she does not sound as assured as you might expect.

'Everybody talks about this record and asks me if I feel the pressure,' Vergeer said. 'Maybe I do feel it more than ever in the Paralympics because I haven't lost for so long.

'Everybody expects me to win gold and for it to be easy, but it's not and maybe the mental part is the toughest part.'

Vergeer has been drawn against Kanako Domori in the first round, but she is not the only elite athlete who will be looking to begin her Paralympic Games in style.

At Weymouth and Portland, Canada's Paul Tingley will be keen to maintain his proud record in the Sailing events.

He won gold at Beijing 2008 in the Single-Person Keelboat (2.4mR) class and will be expected to mount a strong challenge to defend his title.

He is likely to face stiff competition from France's Damien Seguin, who enters the Games ranked as the number one in the world in the class.

Elsewhere, it will be another action-packed day at the Olympic Stadium in Athletics, where Ireland's Jason Smyth will be aiming to defend his title as the 'fastest Paralympian in the world' in the men's 100m - T13 final, and Oscar Pistorius launches his 200m - T44 campaign.

Smyth is expected to be one of the stars of the Games and should provide the highlight of the evening session, while there will also be a standout final in the women's 200m - T46, where world and Paralympic record holder Yunidis Castillo of Cuba will go for gold.

The Aquatics Centre will play host to 15 finals, with ParalympicsGB golden girl Ellie Simmonds carrying Host Nation hopes in the women's 400m Freestyle - S6 class.

There will also be medals up for grabs in Track Cycling, Equestrian, Judo, Powerlifting and Shooting.