Novak Djokovic storms to opening victory in Doha

The world number one had pulled out of a match against Andy Murray on Sunday, the final of the pre-season tournament in Abu Dhabi, citing illness.

But there appeared to be no lingering effect on Djokovic, who needed just 59 minutes to get past the world number 68.

Djokovic had never played 24-year-old Lajovic in a tour match before but betrayed no wariness, attacking Lajovic's serve ruthlessly, defending all but one of the four break points he gave up, and taking five of the six break opportunities that he earned.

Next up for Djokovic is Ukraine's Sergei Stakhovsky, who crused local wildcard Jabor Mohammed Ali Mutawa 6-1 6-1 in their first round match.

Third seed Tomas Berdych also came through the first round with ease, beating Denis Istomic 6-1 6-4, while fourth seed David Ferrer came back from one set behind to beat Thiemo de Bakker 6-7(4) 6-4 6-3.

“It's always a pleasure to have a match like that on the belt, especially for the first one of the year,” said Berdych after his first-round win.

Rafael Nadal opened up his tournament against Michael Berrer - and fell to a shock defeat against the German qualifier.

[NADAL MATCH REPORT: Rafael Nadal suffers shock defeat to world No. 127 on return from injury]

4-David Ferrer (Spain) beat Thiemo de Bakker (Netherlands) 6-7(4) 6-4 6-3

Michael Berrer (Germany) beat 2-Rafa Nadal (Spain) 1-6 6-3 6-4

Joao Souza (Brazil) beat Malek Jaziri (Tunisia) 3-6 6-4 6-3

Jan-Lennard Struff (Germany) beat 5-Philipp Kohlschreiber (Germany) 7-6(3) 4-6 6-1

Andreas Seppi (Italy) beat 8-Leonardo Mayer (Argentina) 5-7 7-6(4) 7-6(4)

1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) beat Dusan Lajovic (Serbia) 6-2 6-1

Nikoloz Basilashvili (Georgia) beat Mikhail Youzhny (Russia) 7-5 6-2

Blaz Kavcic (Slovenia) beat Juan Monaco (Argentina) 7-6(3) 6-4

3-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) beat Denis Istomin (Uzbekistan) 6-1 6-4

Sergiy Stakhovsky (Ukraine) beat Jabor Al Mutawa (Qatar) 6-1 6-1