In his first match in over six months, Rafael Nadal swept aside fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta on Wednesday to reach the third round of the Italian Open.

Germany’s Alexander Zverev defeated Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta 3/6; 2/6; 6/3; 6/4; 6/3 while Austria’s Dominic Thiem outplayed Russia’s Daniil Medvedev 6/2; 7/6 (7); 7/6(5) to reach the finals.

Ashleigh Barty plans to use next week's ATP-WTA Adelaide International to put the final polish on her Australian Open preparations after a shock defeat in Brisbane.

Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka are due to make their competitive return after six months out injured in Abu Dhabi in December.

Every top player has a debut tournament where an outstanding run lifted him or her into the higher rankings and bade bye bye to qualifying rounds.