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Nadal survives after wobble in Qatar

Nadal's fighting qualities came to the fore against Kohlschreiber © PA Photos

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Rafael Nadal survived a scare against world No. 43 Philipp Kohlschreiber to progress at the Qatar Open.

The world No. 2 lost the second set on a tiebreak, but battled back to claim a 6-3 7-6(2) 6-3 victory to book his place in the second round in Doha.

Nadal, who has confirmed he will take a month's break after the Australian Open to recover from a shoulder problem, looked some way off his best, but showed real fighting spirit as he kicked off 2012 with a victory.

After the opening three games went with serve, a cute volley played in behind Kohlschreiber earned Nadal three break points in the fourth game and, although his opponent saved two of them, a whipped forehand winner saw him move 3-1 ahead.

An enthralling baseline battle ensued, with neither player taking a backward step. Kohlschreiber was happy to trade off both flanks but Nadal demonstrated his ability to turn defence into attack within the blink of an eye with numerous trademark blows. The rest of the set went with serve; a punched backhand that sent a stranded Kohlschreiber the wrong way gave Nadal the early honours.

Kohlschreiber led 40-15 on the top seed's first service game of the second set and, although the Spaniard served an ace, Kohlschreiber broke to take the early initiative and make it clear he was not about to be blown away. Sheer belligerence enabled Nadal to break back for 3-4; punishing groundstrokes pushed his opponent behind the baseline and eventually the German succumbed to Nadal's relentless attacks.

Nadal then held to draw level at 4-4, before a blazing forehand, smashed across court, presented the 10-time grand slam champion with a break point with the set finely poised at 5-5. However, Kohlschreiber played a delicate drop volley to get back to deuce, although Nadal carved out another opportunity in the next point when forcing the German to hit long, but he then sprayed wide with a break beckoning.

A hold apiece meant a tiebreak was needed, and Kohlschreiber raced into a three-point advantage before a stunning winner ensured Nadal got on the board. A return which left Nadal rooted to the spot handed Kohlschreiber five set points and, although he wasted one, he forced the match into a decider at the second time of asking.

An early break in the third put Nadal in command, and the Spaniard held his nerve to serve out the match for his first victory of 2012.

Federer dropped just nine points on serve against Davydenko © PA Photos

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Defending champion Roger Federer suffered no such problems against Nikolay Davydenko, taking just 55 minutes to wrap up a comprehensive 6-2 6-2 victory in a rerun of last year's final.

Davydenko, whose ranking has dropped to No. 41 in the world after a 2011 season blighted by a left wrist fracture, previously upset Federer in the semi-finals in Doha before topping Nadal to be crowned champion in 2010.

There was no threat of history repeating as the Swiss' serve in particular looked irresistible. Federer gave up just four points on his own delivery in the first set, and although Davydenko raised his game in the second set the second seed moved through the gears with some sublime attacking tennis to the delight of the crowds in Qatar.

The world No. 3 faces qualifier Grega Zemlja in the second round after the Slovenian beat wildcard Sergei Bubka 4-6 6-1 6-1.

Third seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was forced to work hard for his 7-6(5) 6-7(5) 6-1 victory over world No. 118 Malek Jaziri, while Mikhail Youzhny progressed after a 6-4 6-7(4) 6-2 win over Ernests Gulbis.

Fourth seed Gael Monfils had to turn to his return game to see off Portugal's Rui Machado. The world No. 16 claimed five of the seven breaks in the match to prevail 7-5 6-3 to set up a second-round clash with Benjamin Becker.

At the Brisbane International, Andy Murray was a winner, while seventh seed Jurgen Melzer was stunned by Philipp Petzschner, who has now won all three of their meetings.

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