MONTREAL — Rafael Nadal made a triumphant return to tennis when David Ferrer retired with a left knee injury in the first set of their match Wednesday night at the Rogers Cup. Nadal led 4-3 when Ferrer informed the chair umpire he could not continue.
“It’s always a pleasure to come back,” said Nadal, who had not played since losing to Robin Soderling in the fourth round of the French Open on May 31. “It’s only been (two) months and a half; it’s not three years outside of tennis.”
Afterward, Ferrer said the injury wasn’t serious and that he would likely be back on court next week for a tournament in Mason, Ohio.
Nadal, who was returning from tendinitis in both knees but looked strong on the court as Ferrer made him run, will face Philipp Petzsch-ner in the third round today.
Also, Andy Roddick beat Igor Andreev 6-1, 7-6 (3), while former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero advanced to the third round with a 6-3, 7-6 (6) upset of 13th-seeded Gael Monfils.
• Playing her second competitive match since retiring more than two years ago, Kim Clijsters reached the third round of the Cincinnati Open with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Patty Schnyder on Wednesday.
Clippers acquire Butler
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Clippers acquired shooting guard Rasual Butler and cash from the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for a conditional second-round draft pick in 2016.
Butler had the most productive season of his seven-year career in 2008-09, averaging 11.2 points and 3.3 rebounds while playing in all 82 games for the Hornets.
• Center Ben Wallace, who played for Detroit from 2001-06, rejoined the Pistons.
• Free-agent guard Von Wafer signed a two-year, $10 million deal to play for Olympiakos, the same Greek team that landed Linas Kleiza from the Nuggets this week.
Daly to go Down Under again
COOLUM, Australia — John Daly is set to return to Coolum for the Australian PGA, the scene of one of his more illustrious career meltdowns. Tournament officials said Daly, who threw his putter and ball into a greenside pond and later failed to sign for a 78 on his scorecard at the 2002 tournament, will play in the Dec. 10-13 tournament at the Hyatt Regency resort course.
Footnotes.
Southern California quarterback Aaron Corp has a small crack in his bruised left knee and will be out about two weeks.
• Nebraska redshirt freshman quarterback Kody Spano will miss the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during practice Tuesday.
• Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said cornerback J.T. Turner has been academically cleared to play.
• Jessicah Schipper set a shortcourse world record for the women’s 100-meter butterfly, clocking 55.68 seconds at the Australian championships to beat the mark of 55.74 set by fellow Australian swimmer Libby Trickett last year.
• Middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik (35-1, 31 KOs) has agreed to defend his two title belts against Paul Williams (37-1, 27 KOs) on Oct. 3 at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall. The Associated Press
