Nadal had feared his career might be over in the close season

The world number two, 19, who has been out since October with a foot injury, produced his only ace of the day when match-point down in the third set.

"It was my only ace of the match, and it came at the right moment," said Nadal after his 4-6 6-2 7-5 win.

"It's not usually the way I play the big points but it worked this time."

It is Nadal's first tournament since winning his 11th title of 2005 at the Madrid Masters in October.

Rochus took the first set after breaking the French Open champion's serve three times.

I have played easier games Rafael Nadal

But Nadal took control of the match in the second set, winning 12 points in a row.

He broke serve in the first game of the third set and led 4-2 but Rochus came back to 4-4 and held his serve before setting up match point on his opponent's serve.

But Nadal saved himself with an ace and then won the ninth game before clinching the match on his first match point.

"I have played easier games. This one was very difficult but I'm happy because it was my first game of the year and I managed to win," Nadal said.

"I'm not particularly tired even if I'm not fully fit."

Nadal next faces Frenchman Gilles Simon, who defeated Finland's Jarkko Nieminen 4-6 6-3 6-2.