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Federer wins first match of 2006
(AP)
Updated: 2006-01-04 09:00
DOHA, Qatar - Top-ranked Roger Federer breezed through his first match of the
year Tuesday, showing no ill-effects from a sprained ankle that troubled him at
the end of 2005.
The Swiss player, who won tournaments his first time
out three of the last four years, beat qualifier Ivo Minar of the Czech Republic
6-1, 6-3 in the first round of the Qatar Open.
"It's great to find some momentum early in the season," said Federer, the
tournament's defending champion.
Younes El Aynaoui of Morocco, another former champion here, also appeared
fit. Previously dogged by foot and shoulder problems, he outhustled
fourth-seeded Sebastien Grosjean of France, much to the joy of hundreds of
cheering Arab supporters.
"Obviously it's not easy at 33 to try and revive your career but the match
against Sebastien has definitely given me the confidence to aim high this year,"
he said after a 6-4, 6-4 victory.
Federer will next face 2000 champ Fabrice Santoro of France, who defeated
qualifier Oliver Marach of Austria 6-0, 2-6, 6-4.
Second-seeded Nikolay Davydenko of Russia, who won a career-high 56 matches
last year, ousted Christophe Rochus of Belgium 6-3, 6-1, but countryman and No.
5 Igor Andreev lost to qualifier Potito Starace of Italy 7-5, 1-6, 7-5.
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