Mario Ancic looked rusty but had enough power and class to dispose of Spain's Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in the first round of the China Open on Tuesday, his return to action after two months out injured.
The fourth seed's last competitive match was a quarter-final defeat to Roger Federer at Wimbledon after which he injured his knee when he slipped trying to jump into the sea from a yacht off the coast of his native Croatia.
"I am really happy to be back on the court, behind me is seven weeks of hard rehab, a lot of work which started the day after my injury," he said.
"I always respect anyone I play against but at the moment every match is something I'm looking forward to. You really miss it when you are away from the tour for so long."
The injury ended a purple patch for the 22-year-old during which he won the second ATP title of his career at 's-Hertogenbosch, reached the last eight at successive grand slams and rose to a career-high seventh in the world rankings.
"I had a great period, quarter-final at Roland Garros, won the tournament then the quarter-final at Wimbledon," he recalled. "I was in great form, physically and mentally."
Back on court in Beijing on Tuesday, the tall righthander made the most of Lopez's frequent errors and flapping backhand to take the first set with some ease.
But Lopez fought back to take the second by converting his second break point when Ancic put a forehand wide after a mammoth seventh game.
Ancic responded by breaking the Spaniard in the second game of the third set and then saved three break points to win the next game and clinched the match with an unreturnable serve.
"Playing Feliciano is always very tough, and like today small things decided it," Ancic said.
"I'm hitting the ball well but it's going to be many, many matches (to get back to my best)," he added. "I'm the sort of player who needs matches to get into form so every match is very important to me at the moment."
Ranked 12th in the world after his break, Ancic is still determined to return to China for the Masters Cup in November.
"I've got my visa and I hope that will serve for Shanghai as well, that's my goal," he said.
More from rediff