Nadal blocks Djokovic's path in potential round-two clash

PARIS, July 25 (Reuters): Top seed Novak Djokovic could face 14-times French Open champion Rafa Nadal in a blockbuster second-round match in the Olympic men's singles after the draw was made at Roland Garros on Thursday.

Women's top Iga Swiatek of Poland, who will be overwhelming favourite after winning her third successive French Open crown last month, meets Romania's Irina-Camelia Begu while second seed Coco Gauff faces Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic.

There were murmurs around the room when the men's singles draw was revealed on a screen showing Spaniard Nadal, who was present at the draw, blocking Djokovic's path.

Serbia's Djokovic, bidding to claim the Olympic gold medal that has eluded him, was promoted to number one seed after the withdrawal of Italy's Jannik Sinner due to illness, will face Australia's Matthew Ebden in the opening round.

If he wins that and the 38-year-old Nadal beats Hungary's Marton Fucsovics the pair will continue a huge career rivalry which has seen them clash 10 times at the French Open -- three in final, all of which Nadal won.

Nadal, who won the Olympic singles gold in 2008 and the doubles in 2016, was present at the draw alongside twice Olympic singles champion Andy Murray, former French Open winner Stan Wawrinka, Angelique Kerber and Elina Svitolina.

Both Murray and Kerber will retire after the Olympics while Nadal is yet to confirm exactly when he will call time on his career after initially saying this would be his final year.

"Just excited to have the chance to be back here in this special place," 22-times Grand Slam champion Nadal said. "I wasn't able to spend much time here this year."