Rafael Nadal returned to action after a long injury layoff on Friday, comfortably defeating Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 to leave Spain even with Germany in the Davis Cup quarterfinals.

It was the 23rd straight win for Nadal since 2005, setting the Davis Cup record combining singles and doubles.

The top-ranked Nadal hadn't played since the Australian Open quarterfinals because of a right hip injury, and was never challenged by the 34th-ranked Kohlschreiber at the bullring staging the clay-court tie in Valencia.

"It's positive, winning in straight sets. I feel comfortable back on the clay," Nadal said.

"To play at home at a bullring stadium, it's very unique. Coming back from injuries is always difficult, but it's great to be in front of my crowd on a very memorable day."

Germany won the opening singles when world No. 4 Alexander Zverev defeated David Ferrer 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.

Nadal, in his first Davis Cup tie since 2016, had 30 winners against only eight by Kohlschreiber, but the Spaniard finished with eight double faults. Nadal had 18 break opportunities, converting seven.

Earlier, Zverev cruised past the 33rd-ranked Ferrer with four aces and 27 winners.

Alexander Zverev cruised past David Ferrer 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 to give Germany a 1-0 lead against host Spain in the Davis Cup quarterfinals on Friday.

Zverev was in control from the start at the bullring staging the tie in Valencia.

"I played more aggressively as the match went on. It's my first clay-court match in a very long time, so it was great to find my rhythm so quickly," Zverev said. "With Nadal in their team, it's a point we're not expecting to get, so it's important to start well."

This is the teams' first Davis Cup meeting since 2004.

Spain is trying to extend its winning streak at home to 27 ties. Italy holds the Davis Cup record with a 29-tie unbeaten run at home from 1949-64. Spain hasn't lost a tie as host since the first round in 1999 against Brazil.

Fognini draws Italy level with France at 1-1

Inspired by playing in his home region, Fabio Fognini came back from a set down to defeat Jeremy Chardy 6-7 (6), 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 and draw Italy level with France in the Davis Cup quarterfinals Friday.

The 20th-ranked Fognini had his left leg taped up early in the second set but didn't appear too bothered over the course of a match that lasted 3 hours, 31 minutes on a slow outdoor red clay court.

Fognini grew up in the Liguria region.

"It's great to come here and play in front of a lot of friends and have this kind of support," Fognini said. "I have a lot of memories from here."

The 80th-ranked Chardy had won all five of his previous Davis Cup matches and beat Fognini recently in Indian Wells.

Earlier, Lucas Pouille wasted a two-set advantage before eventually beating Andreas Seppi 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1.

The 11th-ranked Pouille stepped up his game in the fifth, resulting in a series of errors from Seppi.

"I decided to be more aggressive and take more chances in the fifth set and I had the energy to finish off the match," Pouille said.

Seppi hadn't played since losing to Roger Federer in the semifinals in Rotterdam in mid-February.

"I still need to rediscover my form but I can take away some good things from this match," Seppi said.

In Saturday's doubles, Simone Bolelli and Paolo Lorenzi will face Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut.

Reverse singles are scheduled for Sunday.

Italy is looking to reach the World Group semifinals for only the second time since finishing runner-up in 1998.

France is aiming for a spot in the last four for the third straight year.