PHOTOS/VIDEO: 2018 Davis Cup QF Rafael Nadal vs. Philipp Kohlschreiber #DavisCup #ESPGER

2018 Davis Cup QF  Rafael Nadal def. Philipp Kohlschreiber  6/2 6/2 6/3

#ESPGER  1- 1 after the 1st day

Valencia, Spain (AFP) : Rafael Nadal on Friday won his first match since of the Australian Open in January when he beat Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber in straight sets in the Davis Cup quarter-finals.

The world number one Spaniard, who is yet to fully recover from a injury, won 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 in just over two and half hours in Valencia, stretching his winning streak in Davis Cup to 23 matches.

The victory in the Plaza de Toros bullring levelled the tie after Alexander Zverev beat David Ferrer 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 in the opening rubber.

"Of course, it's a positive thing to win in straight sets," said 31-year-old Nadal, who has not lost a singles match in the Davis Cup since his 2004 debut.

"I played a solid match. I feel good when I return to the clay courts."

Nadal, building up to an assault on what he hopes will be an 11th French Open title in May and June, said it had been a special day playing on home ground again.

"It's a memorable day, in front of my own crowd. It's always special to play at home in these arenas.

"It's great to be back even if after an injury it's always difficult."

• Practice before the match

Photos: Davi Cup; EPA; AFP; REUTERS; AP; Getty Images; Cordon Press; NurPhoto

• Last game and Oncourt interview

Alex: "Congrats Rafa. After so many days without competing, what was your biggest worry before the match?"

Rafa:"Biggest worry was simply being back in competition in a match that was very important for us. From a personal point of view, it's been quite a few tough months, since Shanghai, w/o having been able to finish any event, w/several issues in a row & that was the biggest worry. Tennis wise, even if I hadn't been competing for months, I felt I was playing more or less well. But then you have to play matches to gain the required rhythm, though I was practicing well and felt confident about being able to play a decent match.Then, of course, from a physical point of view, there is the thing of having to play a best of five match."

Alex: "You've been practicing well, but you, the world #1, were you nervous before today's match?"

Rafa: "The day I'm not a little bit nervous it'll be the day to switch to doing other things. Nerves are part of this sport [the crowd applauds]. Uncontrolled nerves can go against you, but nerves due to pressure or for the excitement of having to play are always positive. Playing again at home after some time is always a very special feeling. I want to thank all the people who have come today to support us [crowd applauds again]. Playing in front of the Spanish crowd is a unique & special feeling. I've been able to take advantage of it in a positive way. We're tied 1-1 and now you all will have to help us, as we have a tough path ahead."

Translated by Genny SS

• Highligths

• Interview (ENG)

• Interview (Spanish)