"Today was a very positive victory for me."

An ongoing appendix problem did not stop Spanish former world number one Rafael Nadal as he gracefully breezed through 6-2, 6-2 in his first round match with Italian journeyman Simone Bolelli at the Swiss Indoors on Monday.

"I'm very happy for what happened. With my (summer-long) wrist injury and now the appendix, it's not been a great season. This was a dangerous match for me and I won it."

He added: "I'm very pleased with what happened. When you are 10 days on antibiotics, the body goes down some; you feel a little scared on how you will play."

The 28-year-old Spaniard has been on a 10-day antibiotic system for an appendix which will have to be removed in the coming weeks.

Nadal had been hesitant of taking to the court as a result of his medical worries. But he said that getting through in good form was a something sort of a relief.

"I had some doubts with myself that I would be able to compete well," said Nadal, landed second in the event behind five-time champion and home hero Roger Federer.

Nadal has despite his appendix problem won four titles this year including his ninth French Open crown. He is astonished that it's been ten years since his last Basel appearance.

"Ten years without being here, that's a long time. But finally I'm here," he said.

"I was really sorry not be able to come here last year (fatigue). But I'm happy to be here now."

"And I'm really happy to get my first Basel win," added Nadal, who plummeted to Feliciano Lopez in 2003 and Rainer Schuettler a year later.

"I'm happy with my performance today; I'm looking forward to playing the next round on Wednesday."

(Source: Yahoo Sports)