Ferrero, Johansson, Henman ease through in Dubai

Top seed Juan Carlos Ferrero needed just one set to ease into the second round of the Dubai Open on Tuesday when his opponent retired injured.

The defending champion broke serve to take the first set from Bohdan Ulihrach 7-5 before the Czech pulled out of the match with tendinitis of the wrist.

Spaniard Ferrero was joined in the second round by Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson, Sebastien Grosjean and Tim Henman.

Third seed Johansson of Sweden eased to an emphatic 6-3 6-0 win over Albert Costa, taking just an hour to overcome the dispirited Spaniard.

Fourth-seeded Frenchman Grosjean also had little trouble dismissing inconsistent Austrian Stefan Koubek.

A quarter-finalist at the Australian Open last month, Koubek looked a different player on Tuesday as he hit a series of errors before crumbling to a 6-2 6-2 defeat.

The swiftest victory of the day, though, came as fifth-seeded Briton Henman overwhelmed local wild card Omar Bahrouzyan 6-1 6-0 in 42 minutes.

In the opening match of the day at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre, Ulihrach made the better start in very hot conditions.

But he was unable to convert any of his break point opportunities, and Spain's Ferrero soon shook off his sluggish start to produce some sharp forehands and a series of aces.

Ulihrach, who repeatedly shook his right arm during the match, called for the trainer after the fifth game but continued.

NIGGLING INJURY

Despite the evidence of a niggling injury, Ulihrach's retirement came as a surprise.

Trailing 6-5, the Czech led 30-0 but then hit two double faults.

A forehand winner gave the wiry Spaniard his first break point of the match, and Ulihrach then hit a double-handed backhand wide to concede the set before quitting.

Ferrero will next play in-form Moroccan Younes El Aynaoui.

Johansson shared the opening four games against Costa but never looked back after breaking to lead 3-2 in the opening set.

Another break gave him the set 6-3 and from then on Costa crumbled, having no answer to the Swede's strong serve and fine volleys.

FLYING START

Fourth seeded Grosjean got off to an intimidating start in his match, speeding to a 4-0 lead before Koubek had a chance to settle.

It was not until the Frenchman was serving for the set at 5-2 that Koubek offered any real resistance, holding three break points before Grosjean finally served out to take the opener.

In the second set, Grosjean made a few more errors than before, but Koubek failed to put any real weight behind the ball and continued to hit unforced errors.

A long forehand gave Grosjean a break for 3-2, and that was followed by another break for 5-2 when Koubek netted an easy overhead.

"He made a lot of mistakes and he wasn't in good shape today," Grosjean said.

Grosjean will next play compatriot Fabrice Santoro who beat Germany's Michael Kohlmann on Monday.

BIGGEST MATCH

Playing the biggest match of his short career against Henman, 19-year-old Omar Bahrouzyan of the United Arab Emirates clearly showed his nerves as he struck nine double-faults and often failed to maintain the rallies.

Henman, tired after a long journey following his appearance in the Rotterdam final on Sunday, was careful to treat his unfamiliar opponent, ranked a lowly 1030 in the world, with respect.

"I just tried to be professional about my performance and make life as easy as I could for myself, and I didn't make many mistakes," said the British number one.

"It's important that you concentrate on your own game really. I know what works for me, and if you don't give him many free points you know you're going to keep him under pressure."

In other matches, Croatia's Ivan Ljubicic defeated Frenchman Cedric Pioline 6-3 6-2, Alex Calaterava of Spain beat Russia's Mikhail Youzhny 6-3 6-4, Sjeng Schalken of the Netherlands overcame Frenchman Arnaud Clement 6-3 7-6 and Germany's Rainer Schuettler dismissed Spain's Tommy Robredo 6-3 6-2.