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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 6:53 a.m., Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Tennis: Nadal, Federer advance at Qatar Open

Associated Press

DOHA, Qatar — Rafael Nadal routed Fabrice Santoro 6-0, 6-1 today in his first ATP Tour match of the year, while Roger Federer and Andy Murray also breezed into the second round of the Qatar Open.

Top-ranked Nadal needed only 46 minutes for the win, breaking Santoro three times in each set.

Federer advanced with similar ease, beating Potito Starace of Italy 6-2, 6-2, while defending champion Andy Murray topped Albert Montanes 6-2, 6-4.

Federer converted four of five break points and was never in danger of losing his serve.

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. Murray will play Philip Petzschner of Germany in the next round.

Murray is coming off wins against Nadal and Federer at an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi last week.

"Last week helped me settle down well in the match," Murray said. "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."