Andreas Seppi has said that his fighting spirit was a key factor in Monday's come-from-behind victory over Florian Mayer in the first round of the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Playing in just his seventh match of 2014, the Italian fell 4-1 down in the final set, but he recovered to record to a 4-6 6-1 7-5 win.

"I just tried to keep fighting," Seppi told reporters. "I didn't have so many matches under my belt this year. He gave me some chances to come back."

Seppi will face Philipp Kohlschreiber in round two, after the seventh seed overcame Dutch qualifier Thiemo de Bakker in straight sets.