MADRID (Reuters) -- World number two Rafael Nadal beat Frenchman Fabrice Santoro in an exhibition match in France on Sunday, the first step on his return from an injury layoff.

The Spaniard injured his left foot while preparing for the Masters Cup in Shanghai in November and has not played a competitive match since winning the Madrid Masters in October.

Wearing protective tape on his ankles, the 19-year-old Nadal beat Santoro 6-2 1-6 10-3 in Tarbes, France, the third set being a super tiebreak format.

The French Open champion will miss Spain's Davis Cup tie against Belarus this weekend and is scheduled to begin his season at the ATP event in Marseille starting on February 13.

"I'm fine, it's better every day, but I'm still not quite there," Nadal was quoted as saying on his website. His uncle, and coach, Toni said: "He will make his debut in Marseille, on a hardcourt, although we would have liked to begin on clay so that he could gradually gain confidence."

Nadal, who won eight of his 11 titles last year on clay including a maiden grand slam crown at the French Open, said he is not expecting too much.

"It will be difficult at first," Nadal was quoted as saying on the ATP website.

"My goal is to arrive at the first two Masters Series events of the year in Indian Wells and Miami in good physical condition."