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Russian Nikolay Davydenko made a convincing comeback to the ATP tour by brushing aside compatriot Igor Andreev 6-3 6-2 to reach the second round of the World Indoor Tournament.

Third seed Davydenko, the world number five, withdrew from the Chennai Open in the first week of the year with a hip injury which kept him out of the Australian Open.

"The injury situation surprised me as I never retired from a grand slam tournament" Davydenko said.

"But after a MRI scan, 10 days rest and two weeks' therapy I started training again, though it felt strange as I never had a long injury."

Davydenko broke his opponent's service game early in both sets to set up a second round match with France's Julien Benneteau, who eliminated Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 6-4 5-7 6-2.

"Today was difficult for me as I was without a match for two months so my first goal was winning this match" Davydenko said.

"From the sideline it might have looked okay, but I know I always can do better."

Compatriots Mikhail Youzhny and Dmitry Tursunov also registered first round wins to accompany Davydenko into the last 16. Briton Andy Murray will be in action on Tuesday against Croatian Ivan Ljubicic.

Youzhny, the 2007 champion, beat French qualifier Laurent Recourdec 6-4 6-4 while Tursunov defeated Arnoud Clement 6-0 6-3.

Reuters