Rafael Nadal made his long-awaited return to the ATP Tour on Friday after a four-month layoff with a foot injury.
However things didn’t exactly go to plan for the Spanish superstar, suffering a straight-sets loss to Andy Murray at the World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi.
More than five years on from their last meeting, both former World No.1s made impressive starts on Friday.
However the Scot’s superior match practice was telling as he saved a break point in the third game and then broke himself to easily claim the first set.
Nadal battled valiantly in the second set and saved a number of break opportunities.
However it was Murray who secured the crucial break at 5-5 before serving out to secure victory in an hour and 50 minutes.
Murray went on to claim the high-quality clash 6-3 7-5.
“Me and Rafa have played so many tough matches over the years,” Murray said after the match.
“Both of us have gone through injury troubles and it’s just great to have the opportunity to be with him on court again.”
