Daniil Medvedev, world No.4, beat Alexander Shevchenko 6-3, 7-5 on Tuesday in the first round of the ATP 500 tournament in Dubai, a month after his final lost at the end of January at the Australian Open.
The Russian had not played since his defeat in Melbourne at the end of January against the Italian Jannik Sinner 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3.
Title holder in Dubai, Medvedev won in less than an hour and a half against Kazakh Shevchenko, 47th in the world.
He will meet the winner of the match between the Italian Lorenzo Sonego (48th) and the Indian Sumit Nagal (97th), recipient of an invitation.
Medvedev was forced to give up defending his title in Doha last week due to several physical problems (foot, adductor and shoulder).
In Dubai, he will be coached for the first time in a tournament by the former French player and ex-world No.6 Gilles Simon, associated with the Russian's usual French coach, Gilles Cervara.