Gasquet cruises to opening round win in Qatar

The Frenchman, seeded sixth, recorded eight aces and broke serve three times as he advanced in 92 minutes

Gasquet won the event in 2013 and used it as a springboard to one of the best seasons of his career.

"It's always important to win, because two years ago I know I won here and I did a great season after that,” said Gasquet.

"So I know at the start of the season you need to be fit and you need to be ready to win matches. I need to win, to practise my game and to find a rhythm on the court. That's why I'm happy with the way I played."

2014 champion Rafael Nadal is also playing in the event, and gets into action on Tuesday night against Michael Berrer - and if he wins that opener he will play Ivan Dodig in the second round.

World number one Novak Djokovic also lines up in the event, and takes on fellow Serb Dusan Lajovic in his first match.

7-Ivo Karlovic (Croatia) beat Lukas Rosol (Czech Republic) 7-6(4) 6-3

Fernando Verdasco (Spain) beat Teymuraz Gabashvili (Russia) 4-6 6-3 7-6(4)

Dustin Brown (Germany) beat Paolo Lorenzi (Italy) 7-6(3) 6-3

6-Richard Gasquet (France) beat Pablo Andujar (Spain) 6-3 7-5

Ivan Dodig (Croatia) beat Mohamed Safwat (Egypt) 6-3 6-1

Simone Bolelli (Italy) beat Benjamin Becker (Germany) 6-3 7-6(2)