Berdych pulls out of Barcelona Open due to illness

World number seven Tomas Berdych has withdrawn from the Barcelona Open due to illness, organisers said on Tuesday.

The Czech fifth seed has gastroenteritis and will be replaced in the draw by Rui Machado of Portugal, according to the tournament website (www.barcelonaopenbancsabadell.com).

Top seed Rafa Nadal is bidding for a second straight clay title in Barcelona following the Spanish world number one's triumph at the Monte Carlo Masters on Sunday.

Britain's Andy Murray, who lost to Nadal in the semi-finals in Monaco and is seeded second in the Catalan capital, is struggling with an elbow injury.

An ATP spokesman said he would train on Tuesday before making a decision on whether he can compete.