Injured Nadal to return at China Open

World No 2 Rafael Nadal will return to action at the China Open next week after medical tests cleared him to play.

The Spaniard withdrew from this week's Thailand Open due to a stomach injury but a statement on his website said he would be fit for Beijing.

"Based on the medical tests done in Barcelona, Rafa Nadal will return to competition next week," the statement said.

"After long hours of tedious exams, it was concluded that Rafa is physically fit for competition."

Nadal is expected in Beijing Thursday and will follow that tournament by playing the Shanghai Masters, the Masters in London and finally the Davis Cup.

The China Open is a joint WTA/ATP event and will be the first played at the Olympic Green Tennis Centre in Beijing since the Olympics last year, where Nadal won the men's singles gold medal.

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