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Tomas Berdych, the in-form Czech also required a final-set tie-break to advance, beating lucky loser, Ilya Ivaskha, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(4) in two and a half hours.

Berdych recovers to win

Tomas Berdych continued his superb comeback in 2019 by beating a man nine years his junior in Dubai.

Berdych, a 33-year-old former world No 4 who is now 88th in the ATP rankings, defeated Ilya Ivashka of Belarussia 4-6, 6-4, 7-6. The Czech star, who is making his way back from injury, has had a strong year so far arriving in the emirate with 11 wins and just four losses under his belt.

He will next face the winner of the Borna Coric-Jiri Vesely match.

Score and Stats - Berdych won 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(4) in two and a half hours

Tomas Berdych celebrates first-round victory

Chair Umpire Ahmed Abdel-Azim officiates the first-round match between Tomas Berdych and LL Ilya Ivaskha

Tomas Berdych's player box: coach Martin Stepanek, wife Ester Berdych Satorova, his parents, father Martin and mother Hana are watching Tomas Berdych in action during his first-round match against Belarusian lucky loser Ilya Ivaskha, Court No. 1 at the ATP Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, February 26, 2019. Berdych won 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(4) in two and a half hours.

Tomas Berdych's wife Ester Satorova

It was ... Tomas Berdych in action during his first-round match against Belarusian lucky loser Ilya Ivaskha, Court No. 1 at the ATP Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, February 26, 2019. Berdych won 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(4) in two and a half hours.