Richard Gasquet advances in Qatar

Frenchman Richard Gasquet has booked his spot in the second round of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open following a 7-5 6-1 win over Egyptian Karim Hossam.

Hossam, 19, impressed in the early stages of the first as he secured an early break at 1-1, but Gasquet broke straight back to leave the score level at 2-2.

Three more breaks occurred in a nervy first set, but it was Gasquet that secured the decisive break at 5-6 to claim the first set after 41 minutes.

It was more straightforward for Gasquet in the second and what proved to be final set, however, as Hossam struggled to match the intensity from his French opponent.

Hassam did break at 0-2 in the second, but lost his next two service games, allowing Gasquet to serve it out for a place in the second round.