Playing his first singles match in almost a year, Rafael Nadal defeated Dominic Thiem in an all-Grand Slam champion match-up in Brisbane on Tuesday night, beating the 2020 US Open winner in the first round of the Australian Open lead-up event, 7-5, 6-1.

The Spaniard had been out of singles action for almost a year with a hip injury that required surgery before taking to the court in Australia. Anticipation could hardly have been greater, and Nadal wasted little time unloading some trademark forehands to the delight of the packed-out grandstands.

“Today is honestly an emotional and important day for me after probably one of the toughest years of my tennis career without a doubt,” Nadal said on court after the victory. “To have the chance to come back after a year and play in front of an amazing crowd and play at a very positive level is something that probably makes us feel proud – myself, all the team, family that have been there every single day during the last year.

“I missed being healthy, I missed feeling myself competitive and playing in front of full crowds like this. Things went well and I’m excited to be back again tomorrow.”

Nadal, 37, made just a handful of unforced errors, lost just six points on his serve in the entire match and hit some stunning forehand winners.

He made the decisive break at 6-5 in the first set and dominated the latter stages of the match, winning eight of the last nine games.

Nadal faces Australian Jason Kubler in the round of 16 on Thursday.

The Brisbane International is a tournament often used by players preparing for the Australian Open and Nadal is hoping to return to grand slam action in Melbourne later this month, a tournament he has won twice.

Play on outside courts was interrupted by rain for a second consecutive day but went ahead in the covered Pat Rafter Arena. In the day’s first result, No. 51-ranked Yannick Hanfmann of Germany beat fifth-seeded Sebastian Korda 7-5, 6-4.

In the women’s draw, 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin was upset by No. 113-ranked Arina Rodionova 7-5, 7-6 (7) in the second round.

Victoria Azarenka, another former Brisbane International and Australian Open champion, was broken twice while serving for the match before finally converting on her fifth match point to beat Anna Kalinskaya 6-1, 7-6 (8).