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.