Rafa’s win has ‘value’

Rafael Nadal returns to Miomir Kecmanovic on Day Seven of the Madrid Open at La Caja Magica yesterday. Pics/Getty Images

Rafael Nadal enjoyed a winning return after a six-week injury break, opening his Madrid Open campaign with a 6-1, 7-6 (7-4) success over Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic on Wednesday.

The Spanish star had been sidelined with a rib injury since his Indian Wells final defeat in March but showed little sign of rust as he skipped into the third round.

Russia's Andrey Rublev

Nadal said his preparation for the tournament was "non-existent" due to his rib problem limiting his ability to train and was thrilled by how well he played against one of the most in-form players of the season. "Today I was able to play one hour, 55 minutes against an opponent that was playing really well in these last months, so a really good victory, a lot of value to it," said the Mallorcan.

In-form opponent

"It helps me a lot to reach my final goal, which is to recover my previous health and previous fitness. I'm very excited about it," said the Spaniard. Kecmanovic, 22, entered the match carrying the second-highest tally of wins on tour this season - his 23 victories placing him just one behind Andrey Rublev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Carlos Alcaraz.

Rublev enters quarters

On Thursday, sixth seed Andrey Rublev reached the seventh Masters 1000 quarter-final of his career with a 7-6(9/7), 7-5 result against Dan Evans of Great Britain.

Indisposed Murray pulls out

It was the second blow of the day for the British as Andy Murray had earlier pulled out of his meeting with Novak Djokovic because of illness.

Former World No.1 Murray was forced to pull out of his last-16 match against Djokovic, citing food poisoning. "Unfortunately Andy Murray is ill and is not in a position to play," the Madrid Open organisers said.

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