Day to remember as record-setting Rafa returns in style

Rafael Nadal described his return to action as a day to remember after the 16-time Grand Slam winner pulled Spain level in their Davis Cup quarter-final against Germany. Nadal, playing his first match since limping out of the Australian Open in January with a hip injury, beat Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 in just over two and half hours in Valencia, stretching his winning streak in the Davis Cup to a record 23 matches in singles and doubles.

Rafa's back ?

Nadal levelled Spain's Davis Cup quarter-final against Germany in his first match since January.https://t.co/He3ZREVs9E pic.twitter.com/6cBm6DHHeR

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 6, 2018

The victory for the world number one in the Plaza de Toros bullring levelled the tie after world number four Alexander Zverev beat 33rd-ranked David Ferrer 6-4, 6-2, 6-2. "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 and in doubles since 2005.

#Nadal ties for Spain!

The World No.1 crushes Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-2 6-2 6-3 to set a 1-1 vs Germany in Valencia

?? Spain 1⃣
?? Germany 1⃣#DavisCup pic.twitter.com/gKqZvxfkwe

— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) April 6, 2018

"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, 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 in these arenas," added Nadal, who has played in four of Spain's five Davis Cup-winning teams. "It's great to be back even if after an injury it's always difficult."

When you know you're on #Nadal's team this weekend vs when you know you're going to have to play him on Sunday .... pic.twitter.com/zEMGuLSaAW

— Live Tennis (@livetennis) April 6, 2018

On Saturday, Marc Lopez and Feliciano Lopez will face Tim Puetz and Jan-Lennard Struff in the doubles, paving the way for a potential tie-deciding clash between Nadal and 20-year-old Zverev on Sunday. Spain have history on their side -- they have won 26 straight home ties, with their last defeat on Spanish soil against Brazil in 1999. The winner of the Valencia quarter-final will face either defending champions France or Italy for a place in the final. Lucas Pouille, the world number 11, gave France the first point in Genoa with a 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1 win over 62nd-ranked Andreas Seppi. Italian number one Fabio Fognini then won a bad-tempered 3hr 30min rubber against world number 80 Jeremy Chardy 6-7 (6/8), 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 to make the tie 1-1.

?? and ?? are tied at 1⃣-1⃣ in the Davis Cup quarter-finals after wins for Fabio Fognini and Lucas Pouille on Friday.

Read More ▶️ https://t.co/fetHfNTJKd pic.twitter.com/l2DMc22BJa

— ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) April 6, 2018

Fognini, who spent over 11 hours on court in the victory over Japan in the first round, was furious after Chardy had brushed his shoulder against him during a changeover early in the third set. "I didn't even know if I really touched him on the shoulder. He made this a huge thing, like in football sometimes where the guy you don't touch still collapses," said Chardy. Chardy, a surprise selection ahead of Adrian Mannarino, the world 25, suffered his first Davis Cup defeat in six matches.

France leads 2 sets 0 in Italy with Lucas #Pouille 6-3 6-2 up vs Seppi #DavisCup pic.twitter.com/Gf1h5pmFVT

— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) April 6, 2018

On Saturday, France's Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert will face Fognini and Simone Bolelli in the doubles. "I am ready to play three days, for sure," said Fognini who has played for Italy every year since 2008. "The Davis Cup is special. I am playing not just for me but also for Italy."