Kim Clisters makes a triumphant return to tennis after a two year absence. She defeated Marion Bartoli in the first round of a WTA tournament. (REUTERS)

CINCINNATI, Ohio (AFP) – Former world number one Kim Clijsters made a triumphant return to tennis on Monday, defeating France's Marion Bartoli in straight sets in her first match in more than two years.

Clijsters, who retired in May of 2007 and gave birth to a daughter in February of 2008, defeated 12th-seeded Bartoli 6-4, 6-3.

“I’m really excited playing my first match,” said Clijsters, 26, who received a wild card into the draw of the tournament which has been bumped up to WTA premier status.

“I’ve been training since the start of February, and I’ve always been focused on Cincinnati. Winning my first match feels good.”

The ebullient Belgian advanced to a second-round clash against Switzerland's Patty Schnyder, a 6-4, 6-0 winner over Argentina’s Gisela Dulko.

MONTREAL (Reuters) – Rafael Nadal’s tender knees passed their first test when the Spaniard returned to action on Monday in a doubles win at the Montreal Masters.

Sidelined for more than two months with tendonitis in both knees, Nadal looked fit and showed no signs of pain as he teamed up with coach Francisco Roig to beat Serbian duo Novak Djokovic and Dusan Vemic 7-5 6-4.

“It’s great to be back and I had a lot of fun playing with Francisco,” Nadal told reporters. “A win is a win and doubles is fun and important so I am happy about the way it went today.

“I am really looking forward to playing singles on Wednesday.”

It was a positive first step in what is expected to be a testing comeback for the 23-year-old Spaniard, who opens defence of this Montreal crown with a second round clash against either compatriot David Ferrer or Serb Viktor Troicki.