Roger Federer needed three sets to beat fellow veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
Federer cruised through the deciding set to win 6-4 3-6 6-1 against the 35-year-old German in his first match since his Australian Open last-16 exit.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion, 37, has never lost to Kohlschreiber, winning all 14 of their meetings.
Federer is again going for a 100th ATP singles title after moving on to 99 at the Swiss Indoors in October.