DOHA, Qatar -- Rafael Nadal struggled past Philipp Kohlschreiber while defending Qatar Open champion Roger Federer routed Nikolay Davydenko in their season openers on Tuesday.
The second-ranked Nadal overcame Kohlschreiber of Germany 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-3 in a match that lasted 2½ hours. Federer, who lost badly to Nadal and No. 1-ranked Novak Djokovic over the weekend at an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi, showed he had shaken off the rust by overwhelming the injury-plagued Davydenko 6-2, 6-2 in just 54 minutes.
World No. 6 Jo Tsonga beat Tunisian wild card Malek Jaziri 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 6-1 and fourth-ranked Gael Monfils defeated Rui Machado of Portugal 7-5, 6-3.
Nadal, who has struggled with a sore left shoulder since the end of last season, started well and looked headed for a routine victory. But the 43rd-ranked Kohlschreiber stepped up his net play in the second set and jumped to a 4-1 lead on his way to evening the match. Kohlschreiber went up a break in the third but Nadal broke back and took control from there.
In a rematch of last year's Qatar Open final, Federer expected a tricky encounter with Davydenko. But it was clear from the start that Davydenko -- a former world No. 3 who has fallen in the rankings to 41st -- would be no match for the third-ranked Swiss Maestro.
Federer jumped to early lead in both the sets . He had his service game working and repeatedly pounced on Davydenko's weak serves.
Hoping for a fourth title in Doha, Federer was able to move the Russian around the court at will as he racked up 18 winners to Davydenko's seven. Davydenko also hurt himself with 20 unforced errors.
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