Rafael Nadal to face Simone Bolelli after Alexandr Dolgopolov pulls out of French Open

World number one Rafael Nadal had been due to face Alexandr Dolgopolov in the first round as he bids for an 11th Roland Garros crown, but will instead face Italian Simone Bolelli

Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov pulled out of the French Open with injury on Saturday, leaving Rafael Nadal to open his title defence against lucky loser Simone Bolelli.

Spain's Rafael Nadal signs autographs at the end of an exhibition game during 'Kids Day' on The Philippe Chatrier Court in Paris on Saturday. (AFP)

World number one Nadal had been due to face Dolgopolov in the first round as he bids for an 11th Roland Garros crown, but will instead face Italian Bolelli.

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Bolelli, who was beaten in qualifying by Colombian Santiago Giraldo on Saturday, has only won one set against Nadal in five previous meetings and is ranked a lowly 130.

Dolgopolov has been struggling with a wrist injury since the Australian Open and withdrew from the ATP event in Geneva earlier this week.