Tight matches mark Dubai’s first day

Seeded players David Ferrer and Marin Cilic both rallied Monday for first-round wins at the $2.2 million Dubai Tennis Championships.

Ferrer, seeded fourth, fell behind Ivan Ljubicic before collecting a 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 win. Ferrer didn’t face a break point after the first set.

The fifth-seeded Cilic, looking for his third tournament win this year, had a tougher time in his 2-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 victory over Janko Tipsarevic. Cilic broke Tipsarevic’s serve just once in the match — that coming in the third set — and won just three more total points.

Second-seeded Andy Murray also dropped a first set before advancing when Sergiy Stakhovsky retired in the third set due to an ankle injury. Murray was credited with a 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 5-3 victory.

Seventh-seeded Ivo Karlovic was ousted in three sets by Marco Chiudinelli, 7-6 (7-4), 4-6 (7-6 (9-7).

Also winning Monday were Teimuraz Gabashvili and Fabrice Santoro.

Top-seeded Novak Djokovic has his first match of the tournament Tuesday.

The Dubai winner will take home $383,000.