Nishikori withdraws from Roland Garros; Learn Alcaraz's new opponent

Kei Nishikori withdrew from Roland Garros on Saturday. Earlier this week, the Japanese star retired from his second-round match in Geneva due to lower back pain.

Former No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings Nishikori had been set to face defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the Paris first round. However, the second seed will now take on Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri.

The lefty did not lose a set en route to the main draw, eliminating Jan Choinski, Eliot Spizzirri and Federico Gomez. Only one of Zeppieri's sets went past 6-4.

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It will be Alcaraz and Zeppieri's second Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting. Their first clash came three years ago in Umag, where Alcaraz triumphed 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 in the semi-finals.

Four lucky losers are currently in the draw: Marin Cilic will face Flavio Cobolli, Alexander Shevchenko will play Dusan Lajovic, Elmer Moller will take on 12th seed Tommy Paul and Thiago Agustin Tirante will try to move past Damir Dzumhur.