Nadal saves two set points in rain-impacted win over Evans in Montreal

A rain delay only delayed the inevitable in Montreal, where on Wednesday, defending champion Rafael Nadal opened his bid for a fifth Rogers Cup title with a 7-6 (6), 6-4 win over Daniel Evans.

"Always is tough, first match on hard after such a long time," he told press at Montreal. "I have been playing long clay court season, then grass, so you didn't relax. Then when you finish Wimbledon, it's like your body [releases] a little bit that tension, so it needs little bit of time to recover."

Evans, suspended for 12 months after a positive cocaine test in 2017, came through the qualifying draw and is the midst of resuscitating his career. Starting the season ranked 192nd, he has shot up 139 spots to No. 53, moving closer to his career-high ranking of No. 41,  which he attained in early 2017.

The 29-year-old, who had never previously faced Nadal, had the upper hand in the early stages of the proceedings and took a 3-1 lead. The top-seeded Spaniard soon neutralized that advantage to even the set 3-3. But right after the defending champion secured a 6-5 lead, a rain shower sent the players off court.

Nadal is going for his fifth Rogers Cup trophy. (Getty Images)

After they resumed, Evans sent the match to a tiebreak, where he took another early lead. Down two set points, Nadal fought off both, survived the tiebreak, and then seized the momentum. He took the first two games of the second set before the rain interrupted the match again.

Back from a two-hour rain delay, Nadal kept his nose in front despite some troublesome moments in the second set. Brushing off some brief hiccups, including an Evans break, Nadal took back the control, reaching the finish line to set up an appointment with Guido Pella.

"I know with victories that other things should be coming slowly," Nadal said. "Have been playing and practicing more or less well. Now is the moment to compete."

"I know winning matches, the feelings going to be better and better for sure."

Coming off a semifinal loss to Roger Federer at Wimbledon, Nadal is aiming to successfully defend the Canadian Masters title for the first time.