DOHA, December 31, 2018

Tomas Berdych has made a successful return to the courts, winning his first match since June. The 33-year-old from the Czech Republic opened his 2019 campaign with a 6-4, 7-6(5) first-round victory at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open over Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany.

That winning feeling after long time 🤩

— Tomáš Berdych (@tomasberdych) 31. Dezember 2018

Berdych, who entered the main draw of the ATP 250 event with a wild card, capitalized on two of his four break point chances to secure victory in one hour and 42 minutes. Next up will be Fernando Verdasco. The Doha resident from Spain beat Italian lucky loser Paolo Lorenzi 6-3, 6-4.

No. 5 seed Nikoloz Basilashvili and seventh favourite Roberto Bautista-Agut also advanced to the second round in the desert.