Rafael Nadal overcomes Marcos Baghdatis in Dubai

Nadal was broken in the first and seventh games as he limped out of the blocks in the first set, but two breaks of his own saw him level in the second.

And the Spaniard edged through the third to win through 3-6 6-2 6-3.

World number four Nikolay Davydenko also had to work hard to beat Moroccan Younes El Aynaoui 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 7-5.

The Russian struggled to adapt to the outdoor hardcourt at the Aviation Club after coming from the European indoor season, but battled through despite losing a 3-0 lead in the final set.

"It was difficult for me to return his (El Aynaoui's) serve after my tough week in Rotterdam," he said.

Baghdatis is a very good player, and I am happy that I have passed the opening test Rafael Nadal

"It's a different surface and different conditions - indoors to outdoors and quite windy. So this was a good test."

Nadal was equally happy to progress, saying: "I was coming out of a long break, and it showed in the first set. It took me some time to get my rhythm on the court.

"Baghdatis is a very good player, and I am happy that I have passed the opening test."

Elsewhere, number seven seed Novak Djokovic was another seed to lose the first set of his match before progressing.

Belgian Kristof Vliegen took the opener before Djokovic's class told in a 4-6 6-4 6-3.

Fifth seed Tommy Haas swept past Radek Stepanek 6-4 6-3 but eighth-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer lost to Robin Soderling of Sweden 7-6 (15-13) 6-1.