Rafael Nadal advances in Australian Open after Bernard Tomic retires hurt

Top seed Rafael Nadal was granted an easy passage into the second round of the Australian Open after his opponent Bernard Tomic retired hurt after losing the opening set of their match 6-4 on Tuesday.

Australian Tomic was jeered by spectators at the Rod Laver Arena after he told Nadal he would no longer go on, having appeared uncomfortable with an apparent thigh injury. Tomic left the court for a medical time-out for several minutes at the change of ends at 2-1 and later ripped a bandage off his high left thigh at the urging off his camp.

"I just want to say for Bernard, I hope he really gets better very soon," world number one Nadal said in the courtside interview. Nadal will play Australian wildcard Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round.

(Reporting by Ian Ransom; Editing by Patrick Johnston)