Nadal takes straight-set Davis Cup victory

CHARLEROI, Belgium, March 4 (UPI) -- World No. 1 Rafael Nadal returned from a leg injury and posted a straight-set win Friday that put Spain up 2-0 over Belgium in a Davis Cup first-round series.

Nadal took out Ruben Bemelmans 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 after Fernando Verdasco's 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 victory over Xavier Malisse.

Spain needs to win one of the three matches left in the series -- a doubles match Saturday and reverse singles Sunday -- to move to the Davis Cup quarterfinals against either Chile or the United States. Spain has won two of the last three Davis Cup championships. Nadal was also on the 2004 Spanish winning team.

Nadal hadn't played since injuring his leg in an Australian Open match against Davis Cup teammate David Ferrer but quickly shook off whatever rust may have accumulated. He lost his serve once in the first set but didn't face another break point and had 42 winners against 20 unforced errors.

Verdasco was put into action for Ferrer, who was unable to play because of a shoulder problem. Verdasco dropped serve once and allowed Malisse only 11 points in the third set to finish off the match.

Verdasco returns to the court Saturday, teaming with Feliciano Lopez for a doubles match against Malisse and Olivier Rochus. The singles schedule Sunday has Nadal facing Malisse and Verdasco playing Bemelmans.