Tomas Berdych through at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

Tomas Berdych has battled past Jeremy Chardy in straight sets to reach the second round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

Both players dropped serve twice during a cagey opening set before the fourth seed came through 7-2 in the tie-break.

Last year's runner-up Berdych then edged out his French opponent in the second to seal the win 7-6(2) 6-4 with just over 90 minutes gone.

The Czech will face either Simone Bolelli or Lucas Pouille for a place in the quarter-finals of the tournament.