DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Malamya ang simula ni defending champion Novak Djokovic bago nakabawi sa tamang pagkakataon para salubugin ang bagong taon sa 7-6 (1), 6-3 panalo kontra Jan-Lennard Struff sa first round ng Qatar Open nitong Lunes (Martes sa Manila).

Naghabol ang second-seeded na si Djokovic, 0-4, sa kaagahan ng laban bago nakaarya para maitabla ang iskor sa 5-5.

Naagaw niya ang panalo sa tiebreaker, kung saan nakapuntos lamang ng isa ang karibal na 63rd-ranked German.

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“I guess I had to get more time to get the engine started,”pahayag ni Djokovic.

“It’s first match of the year. You never know how you’re going to start. I was a bit flat on my feet, and Struff, credit to him for playing aggressive, hitting the serves well, and ripping the ball from the baseline.”

Sa second set, hindi na nagpabalahibo ang second-ranked Serbian nang basagin ang una at huling service ng karibal tungo sa panalo.

“I stayed composed because I knew, I believed that I could find the rhythm, start reading his serve better, and that’s what happened,” sambit ni Djokovic.

“Certainly I can play better. But, again, it’s first match of the year. I know that I can’t be at my top the very first match, but I believe that the process is right,” aniya.

Sunod na haharapin ni Djokovic si Horacio Zeballos, nagwagi kontra Florian Mayer 6-7 (3), 6-4, 7-6 (9).

Umusad din si No.4 seed David Goffin ng Belgium nang gapiin si Robin Haas ng The Netherlands, 7-6 (4), 6-2.

Makakaharap ni top-seeded Andy Murray si No.69th-ranked Jeremy Chardy ng France sa Martes.

Mapapalaban din si Murray, naagaw ang No.1 ranking kay Djokovic sa pagtatapos ng taon, kasama I Mariusz Fyrstenberg sa doubles match laban kina David Marrero at Nenad Zimonjic 6-2, 6-4.