Rafael Nadal has won his first match on return to the ATP Tour after more than seven months absence because of an inflamed left knee.
The former world No.1 partnered fellow Spaniard Juan Monaco to defeat the Czech pair of Frantisek Cermak and Lukas Dlouhy 6-3 6-2 in doubles on Tuesday in the VTR clay-court tournament at Vina Del Mar in Chile.
Nadal, whose knee problem has lingered despite on-going therapy, had not played since June 28 when he was upset in the second round of Wimbledon by qualifier Lukas Rosol.
He begins his singles campaign on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT) against Argentine Federico Delbonis.