DOHA, Qatar(AP) Rafael Nadal routed Fabrice Santoro 6-0, 6-1 Tuesday in his first ATP Tour match of the year, with Roger Federer and Andy Murray also breezing into the second round of the Qatar Open.
The top-ranked Nadal needed only 46 minutes for the win, breaking Santoro three times in each set.
It was a quick start for me and that is good,'' Nadal said.I didn't expect it so easy because Santoro is a tough player. His style is difficult.''
Federer advanced with similar ease, beating Potito Starace of Italy 6-2, 6-2, while defending champion Murray defeated Albert Montanes 6-2, 6-4.
Federer broke Starace in the opening game and needed 23 minutes to win the first set. The five-time Wimbledon champion converted four of his five breakpoints and was never in danger of losing his serve.
It was good to start the year with a win. It was a cold, windy day,'' Federer said.There were some nerves because you don't want to panic, but I became relaxed when I played points. ... I have had enough match practice before the season began so it felt good to be out there and win a match.''
Murray dominated Montanes from the baseline and broke his serve in the third and fifth games to take the opening set in 40 minutes.
Montanes struggled with his accuracy throughout the match, committing 34 unforced errors as Murray used two more breaks in the second and will play Philip Petzschner of Germany in the next round.
Murray is coming off wins against both Nadal and Federer at an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi last week, and showed few signs of having lost his good form.
Last week helped me settle down well in the match,'' said Murray, adding that he was still adjusting to playing at night in the Middle East.It is tough when the sun goes down. It becomes windy. When the sun is out, the balls are pretty fast but when it goes down, your body becomes a little stiff and balls become heavy too. But I was OK for the majority of the match and I am happy about that.''