Andy Murray defeats Malek Jaziri at the Dubai Tennis Championships

Andy Murray was victorious in his first match since a shock exit at January’s Australian Open, winning in the first round of the Dubai Tennis Championship.

The world No 1 defeated Malek Jaziri, the world No 51, 6-4 6-1 on Tuesday to begin his challenge for his first title in the desert.

It was a welcome, smooth return to the court for Murray, who followed Novak Djokovic in tumbling out of the first Grand Slam of the year, losing to Mischa Zverev in stunning fashion.

Murray suffered a bout of shingles since that early loss in Melbourne, and he brushed off the rust and an early break of serve, to win through in comfortable fashion in the end.

"I have never hit with him or played against him before. It took a little bit of time to get used to his game. But I played better as the match went on," Murray told the official ATP Tour website.

Murray: Tough ask to win Dubai

Andy Murray says it will be a 'tough ask' to win in Dubai

The Tunisian, in the best form of his career at 33, broke for 2-1 on a very fortuitous net cord but Murray hit straight back and broke serve again to win the opening set.

Although the Scot's first-serve percentage languished at 40, he took total control in the second set as his opponent wilted in the humidity, and soon wrapped up victory inside an hour and 20 minutes.

Jaziri bizarrely called for the trainer at 0-40 in the fourth game, resuming after a brief conversation, but did not win another game.

"The only thing I didn't do well was the first serve - I'm not sure exactly why," Murray added. "Maybe because it was the first match under the lights and I haven't practised in those conditions since I have been here."

In the second round, Murray will face Spain's Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, who won their last meeting in Indian Wells in 2012.

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