Nadal's knees pass brief test at Montreal

Rafael Nadal survived a battle of creaky knees against David Ferrer on Wednesday, the fellow Spaniard retiring hurt from their second round match at the Montreal Masters to gift the world number two a comeback win. Sidelined for more than two months with tendonitis in both knees, Nadal's tender joints were in the spotlight for his first singles match since his shock loss to Sweden's Robin Soderling in the fourth round of the French Open in May.
But it was Ferrer's left knee that became the talking point after he abruptly retired when trailing 4-3 in the opening set. Having betrayed little sign of discomfort, and having dominated play at times against his Davis Cup team mate, Ferrer's withdrawal prompted gasps and groans from the centre court crowd. "I had problems with my knee, I cannot play," Ferrer told reporters. "I've had the problem since before Wimbledon and I want to take some treatment," he said.