Berlocq wins, Nadal returns at VTR Open

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VINA DEL MAR, Chile, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- No. 8 seed Carlos Berlocq posted a first-round win and former world No. 1 Rafael Nadal saw his first action in seven months Tuesday at the VTR Open in Chile.

Berlocq cruised to 6-2, 6-1 victory over Russian Andrey Kuznetsov on the clay courts of Vina del Mar, joining Frenchman Guillaume Rufin, 16-year-old Chilean wild card Christian Garin and Argentine Horacio Zeballos among the Day 2 winners.

Also recording a first-round victory Tuesday was 2011 winner Tommy Robredo, who dispatched fellow Spaniard Pere Riba 6-2, 6-2.

Nadal, who has been out of action with a knee injury since June, returned to the court in a doubles match with teammate and defending Vina del Mar champion Juan Monaco.

They bested the duo of Frantisek Cermak and Lukas Dlouhy 6-3, 6-2.

Nadal had a first-round bye in the single competition. He was set to take on qualifier Federico Delbonis Wednesday.