Spain roared into a 2-0 opening day lead against Belgium in Charleroi despite a late reshuffle in which Fernando Verdasco replaced the injured David Ferrer. For most nations an injury to a player ranked sixth in the world would be a major blow but with Nadal in the ranks and Verdasco, the world number nine, as back-up Spain captain Albert Costa has one of the easiest jobs going.
Verdasco thumped Xavier Malisse 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 before Nadal, back in action for the first time since injuring himself in a quarterfinal defeat by Ferrer at the Australian Open, flexed his muscles during a 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 battering of Ruben Bemelmans.
The home crowd were offered little encouragement by their own players but at least they got to see some explosive hitting from Nadal who looked fresh and eager after his lay-off.
With Indian Wells and Miami on the horizon the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open champion was satisfied with his form in a smooth two-hour workout. "I felt comfortable and I think that in general it was a pretty controlled match throughout," Nadal said.
Spain, champions in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2009, should wrap up the tie in Saturday's doubles, rendering Sunday's singles meaningless, but several of the other World Group first round ties look set to go the distance.
The United States and Chile, possible quarterfinal opponents for Spain, were all square after the first day in Santiago. Andy Roddick beat Nicolas Massu in four sets but John Isner squandered a two-set lead against 165th-ranked Paul Capdeville, losing a gruelling match 6-7, 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 6-4.
US coach Jim Courier will not be hitting the panic button, however, with Bob and Mike Bryan, the world's top doubles pair, in action at the Estadio Nacional on Saturday.
Germany and Croatia were tied at 1-1 in Zagreb while World Group debutants Kazakhstan shared the opening day's singles with the Czech Republic in Ostrava. Former US Open semifinalist Joachim Johansson, now ranked 749 in the world after terrible injury problems, helped Sweden take a 2-0 lead against a below-strength Russia in Boras.
He beat Teymuraz Gabashvili 6-3, 7-6, 6-4 after world number four Robin Soderling crushed Igor Andreev. Argentina were 2-0 to the good against Romania, although David Nalbandian is a doubt for the rest of the tie after injuring himself in a victory over Adrian Ungur.
France also led 2-0 against Austria inside an aircraft hangar at Vienna's international airport.