MIAMI (AFP) - Rafael Nadal came back from an awful first set to defeat Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber 0-6, 6-2, 6-3 and advance to the fourth round of the Miami Open on Sunday.

The Spaniard, playing his 1,000th ATP match, suffered just the 14th 0-6 set of his career, claiming just 33 per cent of first-serve points won and making a string of unforced errors.

After looking badly out of sorts, he was able to rediscover his form in the second set and in the end ran out a comfortable winner.

Nadal will next face France's Nicolas Mahut, who beat Argentine Guido Pella 6-4, 6-3.

Japan's Kei Nishikori came through a tough test against Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, finally winning 7-6 (7-2), 6-7 (5-7), 6-1.

Last year's beaten finalist, Nishikori will face Argentine Federico Del Bonis, who beat Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6 (7-5), 6-1.

Injury-plagued world No. 5 Milos Raonic pulled out of the tournament shortly before his match against American Jared Donaldson, citing a recurrence of a hamstring injury.

Canada's Raonic originally suffered the injury in the semi-final at Delray Beach and was forced to forfeit the final against American Jack Sock. He then missed this month's Masters event at Indian Wells.