Ferrer advances to second round at Qatar Open

David Ferrer in action at the Qatar Open.

Osama Faisal/AP

DOHA, Qatar (AP) -- Top-seeded David Ferrer rallied to defeat German qualifier Dustin Brown 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 in the opening round of the Qatar Open on Tuesday.

The fifth-ranked Spaniard struggled early against Brown's serve and net play. With the first set even at 5, Brown hit a drop volley and then broke Ferrer when the Spaniard hit a shot into the net. Brown closed out the set with a crosscourt volley winner.

Ferrer figured out Brown's serve and the German began making unforced errors. Ferrer broke Brown to go up 3-1 on the way to winning the second and easily won the final set.