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.
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, its 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.
"I played a solid match. I feel good when I return to the clay courts."
"Its great to be back even if after an injury its always difficult."
- 35th win for Cilic -
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"The Davis Cup is special. I am playing not just for me but also for Italy."