Rafael Nadal vs Dominic Thiem LIVE: Brisbane International result as Spaniard makes tennis return

Another pair of unforced error from Thiem sees the game finely poised at 30-30 on the Austrian’s serve. And an amazing return from Nadal follows which cramps Thiem up for room and brings up another chance for the Spaniard to break...

And he takes it! Not much emotion from Rafa but he moves into a commanding position after another unforced error from Thiem.

Nadal now serving for the match.

The first testing moment for Nadal, now, on serve as Thiem moves 30-15 up. A slight opening with Nadal stranded on the left side of the court but Thiem finds the net with an attempted down-the-line backhand winner.

Could that be costly? Indeed, it is as Nadal recovers well to hold serve and move just two games away from his first victory in a year.

The Austrian is on the board at last in this second set as a loose game from Nadal finally arrives. We expected a lot more of that in this match but it’s been a steller display so far from the Spaniard.

Thiem looking a bit perplexed with himself after another return flies long. Nadal races into a 40-0 lead on serve and consolidates the break in emphatic style as Thiem’s slice finds the net.

Five games in a row now for the returning Spaniard who is racing to the finish line now.

Thiem’s third double fault of the game gives Nadal a 15-30 lead but it’s a tidy response from the Austrian to level it up at 30-30 with a booming first serve.

Well, now here’s a chance as Thiem goes long with an unforced error. An early break-point opportunity for Nadal...and taken in superb style! Thiem comes forward to the net but a whipping cross-court backhand evades the outstretched racquet of Thiem and Nadal strikes early to take a 2-0 lead in this second set.

A few mistakes starting to creep into Thiem’s game - his team will want to ensure that his head doesn’t drop after losing that first set just then. It’s a comfortable start for Nadal in this second set, though, as he holds to love to move 1-0 up.

Another chance for Nadal as the backhand forces Thiem wide but again the World No. 98 holds firm to save another break point with a superb cross-court winner after a serve out wide.

But a double fault follows! The worst possible time and Nadal now has a third set point...saved again, though. Great courage to serve down the line there after his double fault just moments ago.

Chance number four coming up now for Nadal as the Spaniard fires a superb pass with Thiem at the net and this time he takes it as Thiem pushes his shot long. Superb from Nadal who claims his first set on return from injury!

Now, is this the chance?! A crisp, flat backhand is arrowed into the corner as Nadal takes a 0-30 lead on Thiem’s serve for the first time this match.

A poor return of Nadal follows as a wry smile appears on the Spaniard’s face. It’s followed up superbly by Thiem who crunches a whipping forehand winner past Nadal to get back to 30-30.

But what a point to follow! The Spaniard is motoring and backpedalling all over the court and brings up his first break point of the game as Thiem finds the net. A chance to claim the first set...but not to be. A half chance as Thiem comes forward to the net but Nadal can’t execute the pass and it’s deuce.

A crucial few minutes in this match.

Another comfortable hold of serve for Nadal as the Spaniard rips a forehand down the line to claim his sixth game of the first set. Thiem now looks to hold serve, too, and send us to a first-set tie-break.

Thiem has certainly not been overawed by his opponent across the court at any point so far today. Some more sublime Tennis from the Austrian moves him 40-0 up and another pin-point forehand down the line brings him back level with Nadal at 5-5.