Nadal makes winning comeback; Murray loses in doubles

RAFAEL Nadal made a winning return to competitive action after nearly three months on the injury sidelines.

SOLID: Rafael Nadal faces either David Ferrer or Viktor Troicki in his singles opener on Wednesday

Nadal and assistant coach Francis Roig won their first round doubles match at the Montreal Masters, defeating Novak Djokovic and Dusan Vermic 7-5, 6-4 in just 69 minutes.

Nadal seemed to enjoy his low-key return and showed no ill-effects from the acute tendinitis in his knees which has kept him sidelined and forced him to miss the defence of his Wimbledon title.

"It is great to be back and I had a lot of fun playing with Francis,” he said.

"A win is a win and doubles is fun. so I am happy about the way it went. The atmosphere was great with so many people watching.

"I am really looking forward to playing singles on Wednesday."

Second seed Nadal will play either Spanish Davis Cup team-mate David Ferrer or Serbia’s Viktor Troicki in his singles comeback, as he seeks to defend the title he won last year.

However, he is playing down expectations with the US Open in New York less than a month away.

British number one Andy Murray, who will move above Nadal in the world rankings should he win in Montreal, will also receive a first round bye.

He was also in doubles action but along with partner Ross Hutchins lost to South Africa’s Jeff Coetzee and Austria’s Jugen Melzer in a third set super tie-break.