Rafa Nadal made a successful comeback after a seven-month injury absence with victory in the first round of the Chilean Open doubles on Tuesday.

The former world No 1 and his Argentine partner, Juan Monaco, overpowered second-seeded Czechs Frantisek Cermak and Lukas Dlouhy 6-3, 6-2 in 65 minutes at the Pacific coastal city of Vina del Mar.

Spanish left-hander Nadal had been out with a knee problem since losing to Czech Lukas Rosol in the second round at Wimbledon in June.