Nadal to face lucky loser Bolelli after Dolgopolov withdrawal

Alexandr Dolgopolov has pulled out of the French Open, meaning Simone Bolelli takes his place in the draw against Rafael Nadal.

Rafael Nadal will face Simone Bolelli in the first round of the French Open following the withdrawal of Alexandr Dolgopolov.

Reigning champion Nadal was set to begin his bid for an 11th title at Roland Garros against Dolgopolov, but the Ukrainian pulled out to grant lucky loser Bolelli a place in the main draw.

The Italian, ranked 130 in the world, has lost all five of his meetings with Nadal and failed to win a set in each of the last four, the most recent of which came in the last 16 of the Madrid Open in 2015.

World number one Nadal has been handed a favourable draw at Roland Garros, with the likes of Alexander Zverev, Dominic Thiem, Kei Nishikori, Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka and Grigor Dimitrov in the opposite half.

The Spaniard has been in incredible form during the clay-court season, claiming his 11th titles in Monte Carlo and Barcelona and taking glory at the Internazionali d'Italia.