Rafael Nadal beat Tomas Berdych 6-0 6-4 in his first match since October at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship.
The Spaniard, who ended last season early because of a wrist injury, will now play Milos Raonic in the semi-final of the Abu Dhabi exhibition event.
World number one Andy Murray starts his preparation for the Australian Open at the tournament on Friday, facing Belgium's David Goffin at 13:00 GMT.
Murray had a bye into the semi-finals.