Beijing - Top seed Rafael Nadal got through his second injury comeback this season unscathed over Marcos Baghdatis 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 while holder Andy Roddick was hammered out at the China Open on Tuesday. "It was a tough match against a dangerous player," said Nadal, who also returned in August from knee problems. "But I'm pleased to be back and playing again."
Nadal took his victory after resting an abdominal muscle pull for three weeks and skipping Spanish Davis Cup play last month.
But unheralded Pole Lukas Kubot had a surprise for a fatigued and frustrated Andy Roddick as he sent the third seed packing 6-2, 6-4.
Roddick had not played in a month since going out in the US Open to John Isner. But the pause didn't mean that the American was ready for his return.
"At a certain point, something's got to give," he complained of a long ATP season. "There's got to be some time to get yourself right physically and mentally.
"Everyone acts surprised when that happens, but ... the fact that we play all the time and all the sudden something happens, it's really not that surprising."
Kuala Lumpur finalist Fernando Verdasco of Spain beat Robby Ginepri of the US in a 6-7 (7-9), 6-1, 6-2 comeback.
Marat Safin marked another step in his road to next month's retirement by advancing over Jose Acasuso 6-4, 6-2 while American James Blake defeated German Florian Mayer 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.
"The other guy couldn't move around the court, which I figured out pretty quickly," said the two-time Grand Slam champion Safin. "I felt confident after the first break.
"I just had to stay focused. It's tough to play and motivate yourself knowing you'll retire in a few months. But I want to win every match, it's a natural feeling."
Ivan Ljubicic set up three match points with his 22nd ace, converting on the first to defeat Paul-Henri Mathieu of France 7-6 (10-8), 4-6, 6-1.
On the women#s side, Serena Williams will return to the top WTA ranking thanks to a 6-3, 6-2 defeat of Ekaterina Makarova in the second round.
The door was opened as Russian Dinara Safina was beaten in the second round by Shuai Zhang of China on Monday.
"It feels pretty good. I'm really excited," said Williams, "I don't want to put too much pressure on myself, but I'm obviously happy to be there because I feel like I have been working so hard all year.
"I'm just happy to be back, I think I have earned it."
The American becomes the third player to take the honour in 2009 after Safina and Serb Jelena Jankovic, who exited after losing a lead 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 to China's Peng Shuai,
Olympic gold medallist Elena Dementieva, the number four, returned to the scene of her 2008 Games triumph, beating Melinda Czink 6-4, 6-3 as she aims for a fourth title this season.
Resurgent Maria Sharapova rallied from 5-2 down in the third set against ninth seed Victoria Azarenka 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 7-5 to follow up after claiming the Tokyo title last weekend.
"I stayed positive," said Sharapova. "The match isn't really over until you shake hands. I definitely felt like my level dropped a little bit."
