Dubai - Roger Federer was forced to work hard by Malek Jaziri in the first round of Dubai Tennis Championships. However, Federer finally came out as the winner and move to the second round.

Playing at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre, Dubai, Monday (25/02/2013) night local time, Federer takes 1 hour 30 minutes to beat Jaziri. Got lost in the opening set, the second seed eventually winning 5-7, 6-0, 6-2.

In the next round, Federer will face Marcel Granollers or Albert Montanes.

In other matches, seventh-seeded Andreas Seppi also advanced to the second round. Seppi beat Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-3, 7-5 and will next face Lukas Rosol.

Eighth seed Mikhail Youzhny, beating Blaz Kavcic by a score of 1-6, 6-1, 6-3. Youzhny will meet Daniel Brands in the second round.