Rafael Nadal returns from injury with win at Madrid Open

The all-time leader in Grand Slam titles in men's singles tennis has returned from injury and appears to be his dominant self.

21-time champion Rafael Nadal defeated Miomir Kecmanovic in two sets to reach the third round of the Madrid Open on Wednesday, taking down the Serbian 6-1, 7-6 (4). According to a report from the Associated Press and ESPN, play was interrupted in the second set due to rain.

"The match lasted nearly two hours, but it was fast enough to allow Nadal to watch Real Madrid's Champions League match later Wednesday night in the Spanish capital. Tournament organizers said Nadal asked to play in the afternoon so his match would not coincide with Madrid's semifinal game against Manchester City," the report reads. "Nadal is a Madrid fan and on Saturday gave the ceremonial kickoff at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium before the team clinched the Spanish league title with a win against Espanyol."

Currently ranked fourth in the world, Nadal made his way back on Wednesday after being sidelined since late March with a rib stress fracture. The Spaniard has captured the Madrid Open crown five times, but not since 2017.

Nadal will square off against 31-year-old Belgian David Goffin in the next round at 10 a.m. ET on Thursday. The Madrid Open is scheduled to conclude on May 9, with the French Open slated for commencement on May 15, meaning that Nadal could have less than one week between tournaments, depending on how far he advances in Spain.