Nadal was well below par in his 36 minutes on court

Rafael Nadal was only on court for 36 minutes on his singles comeback as his opponent David Ferrer retired hurt at the Montreal Masters.

Nadal was back in action after 10 weeks out with knee problems, and was trailing 4-3 in a scrappy first set when fellow Spaniard Ferrer pulled out.

Ferrer played with one knee taped and twice required visits from the trainer before calling it quits.

"I'm very sorry it had to end like this," said defending champion Nadal.

The world number two saved six break points in the fourth game before losing serve, only to break Ferrer again in the seventh game before the early end.

"I must be happy, because I didn't play terrible. In the next round, I have another chance to continue to improve. Every match, every game is important to feel better for me.

"My knees felt OK, but I need more days to have a real test."

My knees felt OK, but I need more days to have a real test Rafael Nadal

Nadal, who was unable to defend his Wimbledon title because of tendinitis in his knees, will play German Philipp Petzschner, who upset Spain's Tommy Robredo 7-6 7-6, on Thursday.

World number three Andy Murray will meet Juan Carlos Ferrero in the third round after the Spaniard beat Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-3 7-6.

American fifth seed Andy Roddick enjoyed a smooth passage with a 6-1 7-6 win over Russian Igor Andreev.

Sixth-seeded Argentine Juan Martin Del Porto also advanced with a 6-2 7-5 win over Czech Jan Hernych.

Elsewhere, seventh seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga survived a scare battling back from a set down to beat Germany's Rainer Schuettler 4-6 6-3 6-4.

Spanish 10th seed Fernando Verdasco also raced into the third round with a straightforward 6-1 6-1 victory over Argentina's Leonardo Mayer.

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Ferrero's victory means the world number 29 has an opportunity to gain revenge for his loss to Murray in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon.

"I'm here in the third round against Murray, it means I am playing well," Ferrero said.

"I know it is going to be very tough but I'm playing the way that I want to play.

"He's number three in the world, he's very experienced in these kinds of matches.

"But I learned some things from the match at Wimbledon."

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