World number two Rafael Nadal was taken to three sets by Philipp Kohlschreiber in the first round of the Qatar Open.
Nadal took a 4-1 lead in the first set, the Spaniard's forehand proving too strong for his German opponent in Doha.
Kohlschreiber fought back to level in a second-set tiebreak, before Nadal twice broke in the third on his way to a 6-3, 6-7 (2-7) 6-3 victory.
Defending Qatar Open winner Roger Federer takes on Russian Nikolay Davydenko in his first round match.
Nadal came into the season opener stating his preparations had not been ideal as he adjusted to using a heavier racket.
The 25-year-old number one seed had first considered switching to a heavier racket after the US Open in September but believes that he would not have had time to adapt because of his playing schedule.
"You can't think that everything will be perfect from the beginning," said Nadal. "But you make the change thinking it'll be better in the future.
"There's no magic, but the new racket can help a little bit to improve my game. It's a risk I'm taking at the beginning of the season."
Nadal will play another German, Denis Gremelmayr, in the second round.
