Nadal earmarks Vina del Mar event for comeback

Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal, out of action since the middle of last season because of injury, will return at next month's ATP event in Vina del Mar, the tournament's organisers confirmed on Thursday. "Now completely recovered, he is looking to play on his favourite surface to add games, rhythm and confidence, on the South American part of the tour, which begins with the VTR Open ATP Chile," said organisers in a statement. The Vina del Mar event, situated 120 kilometres west of the Chilean capital city Santiago, runs from February 4-10 and will also feature Juan Monaco, Carlos Berlocq, Pablo Andujar, Albert Ramos and Santiago Giraldo. Nadal, currently ranked four in the world, has won 11 Grand Slams but injuries have dogged him and the 26-year-old Spaniard hasn't played since June. He had to miss the Australian Open because of a stomach virus while a succession of knee injuries have plagued his career. Nadal, who had been widely expected to return to action in Acapulco, Mexico, at the end of February, will then take part in the Brazil Open in Sao Paulo, a tournament he won in 2005, the following week. From : AFP