Rafael Nadal vs Dominic Thiem LIVE: Brisbane International result as Spaniard makes tennis return

The 37-year-old Spaniard was in impressive form as he dismissed Thiem 7-5 6-1 in his first match in almost 12 months

"Ready to compete" - Nadal returns to action at the Brisbane International after 12-month absence

Rafael Nadal marked his singles comeback after being out injured for nearly a year with a convincing 7-5 6-1 victory over Austrian former world number three Dominic Thiem in the Brisbane International first round.

The 22-times grand slam champion had arthroscopic surgery last June after injuring his left hip flexor during his second round defeat by Mackenzie McDonald at the Australian Open in early 2023.

Nadal returned to competitive tennis in the new season on Sunday and crashed to a doubles defeat while partnering retired veteran Marc Lopez but showed glimpses of his top form ahead of the first grand slam of the season.

The 37-year-old looked razor sharp again during his latest meeting with qualifier Thiem in a rematch of their 2018 and 2019 French Open finals which he won, as he ramped up the pressure and claimed the opening set with a break.

Roared on by fans inside a heaving Pat Rafter Arena, Nadal grabbed an early break in the second set with a superb backhand pass and barely looked back as he racked up a 5-1 lead before closing out the match on serve.

Relive all the action from the Brisbane International below

Rafael Nadal vs Dominic Thiem LIVE: Latest score as Spaniard makes tennis comeback

• Rafael Nadal returns to winning ways after after almost 12 months out
• GAME, SET, MATCH! Nadal wraps up emphatic 7-5 6-1 victory on return against Thiem
• SET! Nadal takes first set 7-5 on return to lead against Thiem
• Emma Raducana beats Gabriela Ruse on return from injury after eight months out

[2 January 2024 09:05 · Ben Fleming]

Nadal vs Thiem

Thiem should be the sharper of the two, not only because of Nadal’s lay-off but because he has had to come through two rounds of qualifying to reach this point. The Austrian saved matched points against Australia’s James McCabe before beating Giulio Zeppieri to reach the first round proper.

[2 January 2024 09:01 · Ben Fleming]

Nadal vs Thiem

I’m careful to say return to singles action because, technically, Australia has already seen the Spaniard back in action a few days ago in the doubles tournament.

Nadal played alongside fellow countryman Marc Lopez but lost in straight sets to the Australian duo of Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson.

But here he comes now, returning to singles action as the crowd cheers him onto the court.

[2 January 2024 08:57 · Ben Fleming]

Next up for Raducanu

There’s certainly no soft touch for Raducanu on her return to competition.

The Brit is into the second round but faces a difficult clash against No.2 seed and last year’s Wimbledon semi-finalist Elina Svitolina after the Ukrainian came through her clash against Caroline Wozniacki.

A tough ask but that’s for another day. Right now, we are back in Brisbane and awaiting the return of Rafa Nadal to singles action.

[2 January 2024 08:55 · Ben Fleming]

Raducana speaking after her win in Auckland

“Thank you to everyone for coming out and staying late - I really appreciate the support. It was a match with ups and downs; it’s always difficult playing a friend but I love being back in Auckland and I’m having a blast so far.

“It’s difficult after having such a long hiatus but I’m grateful to be healthy and able to move my body; not bed-ridden or in a wheelchair so it’s pretty amazing to just be out here and playing. I’m just really happy to be back on tour and I can’t wait to start this season and carry on hopefully injury-free and healthy.”

[2 January 2024 08:50 · Ben Fleming]

Game, set match Raducanu!

Ruse 3-6 6-4 5-7 Raducanu

But over in Auckland, it’s victory for Raducana who wins for her first time back on the court in eight months! The Brit was 0-30 down on serve in that final game but a great comeback in that game saw her finally get over the line after more than two hours on court.

(Getty Images)

[2 January 2024 08:45 · Ben Fleming]

Nadal vs Thiem head-to-head

The Spaniard is still waiting to take the court in Brisbane but he’ll have a tough time today against Dominic Thiem, who himself has had his well-documented issues with injury. The pair have faced each other 15 times on the ATP circuit with the Spaniard leading 9-6.

The Austrian has, however, won both their last two meetings - at the 2020 ATP Finals in Turin and at the quarterfinals in the 2020 Australian Open.

[2 January 2024 08:41 · Ben Fleming]

Another break for Raducanu

Ruse 3-6 6-4 5-6 Raducanu*

What a response! Ruse has produced some thunderous tennis in these last few games but Raducana has stood firm and backed her ability. Some sturdy defence forces mistakes from Ruse and, this time, Raducana capitalises to claim yet another break.

Can she serve out to win the match at the third time of asking now?

[2 January 2024 08:37 · Ben Fleming]

Two chances go begging for Raducanu

Ruse 3-6 6-4 5-5 Raducanu*

The first chance to serve out for the match went begging for Raducanu but she has another chance here on serve.

At 30-30, Ruse thunders a forehand winner across the court and now she has another break point to tie up the match...and the Romanian does!

Level at 5-5 from 5-2 down - work to do for Raducanu.

[2 January 2024 08:28 · Ben Fleming]

Andy Murray beaten by Grigor Dimitrov in battle at Brisbane International

Andy Murray’s preparations for the Australian Open suffered a setback following a frustrating first-round loss to second seed Grigor Dimitrov at the Brisbane International.

The unseeded Scot was on course to advance after taking the opening set of a tense battle between two former tournament champions on Pat Rafter Arena.

But Dimitrov hit back to progress 4-6 7-5 6-2 and inflict another early exit on Murray following his second-round victory when the pair met at last year’s US Open.

[2 January 2024 08:24 · Ben Fleming]

Also making a return

It’s also a huge day for Emma Raducanu as the Brit makes her return to competition after almost eight months out.

The former US Open champion is currently in action against World No. 134 Gabriela Ruse and has just taken a huge step towards victory by securing a double break in the third and decisive set.

She won the first set 6-3 before Ruse levelled it up but the 21-year-old now leads 5-2 in the third and is serving for the match....