MONTREAL, August 13 – Rafael Nadal made a winning return after an injury absence of two and a half months Wednesday when David Ferrer retired while trailing in their second-round match at the Montreal Masters.Nadal, the second seed, led 4-3 in the opening set when fellow Spaniard Ferrer called it quits.

Nadal, who enjoyed a first-round bye, advanced to a meeting with Germany’s Philipp Petzschner, who beat Spain’s Tommy Robredo 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/4).

It was an easier than expected re-entry for Nadal, who had been sidelined by tendinitis in both knees.

He had not played since being upset by Robin Soderling in the fourth round at the French Open in May. It was his first defeat at Roland Garros where he had been the four-time champion.

His ailing knees forced him to pull out of Wimbledon two days before it started.