(AP) – Rafael Nadal dropped just one game on his way to a straight-sets victory over Nikoloz Basilazhvili.
It was Rafa’s 100th best-of-five-sets match on clay. He has a 98-2 win-loss record.
With the rainclouds rolling in, Rafa seemed keen to get his third-round match over as quickly as possible and the No. 4 seed took 90 minutes to win 6-0, 6-1, 6-0.
Spain’s Rafael Nadal prepares to serve to Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili during their tennis match at the Roland Garros 2017 French Open on June 2, 2017 in Paris. / AFP PHOTO / Lionel Bonaventure (June 1, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a forehand during the men’s singles third round match against Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia on day six of the 2017 French Open at Roland Garros on June 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (June 1, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves during the men’s singles third round match against Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia on day six of the 2017 French Open at Roland Garros on June 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (June 1, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili during their tennis match at the Roland Garros 2017 French Open on June 2, 2017 in Paris. / AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMON (June 1, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on during the men’s singles third round match against Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia on day six of the 2017 French Open at Roland Garros on June 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (June 1, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain adjusts his racquet during the men’s singles third round match against Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia on day six of the 2017 French Open at Roland Garros on June 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (June 1, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal wipes his face as he plays against Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili during their tennis match at the Roland Garros 2017 French Open on June 2, 2017 in Paris. / AFP PHOTO / Lionel Bonaventure (June 1, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on during the men’s singles third round match against Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia on day six of the 2017 French Open at Roland Garros on June 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (June 1, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on during the men’s singles third round match against Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia on day six of the 2017 French Open at Roland Garros on June 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (June 1, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain takes on energy during the men’s singles third round match against Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia on day six of the 2017 French Open at Roland Garros on June 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (June 1, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on during the men’s singles third round match against Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia on day six of the 2017 French Open at Roland Garros on June 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (June 1, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain adjusts his headband during the men’s singles third round match against Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia on day six of the 2017 French Open at Roland Garros on June 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (June 1, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal gives a towel back as he plays against Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili during their tennis match at the Roland Garros 2017 French Open on June 2, 2017 in Paris. / AFP PHOTO / Lionel Bonaventure (June 1, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory during the men’s singles third round match against Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia on day six of the 2017 French Open at Roland Garros on June 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (June 1, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory during the men’s singles third round match against Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia on day six of the 2017 French Open at Roland Garros on June 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (June 1, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning against Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili during their tennis match at the Roland Garros 2017 French Open on June 2, 2017 in Paris. / AFP PHOTO / Lionel BONAVENTURE (June 1, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning against Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili during their tennis match at the Roland Garros 2017 French Open on June 2, 2017 in Paris. / AFP PHOTO / Lionel BONAVENTURE (June 1, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal smiles after defeating Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili during their third round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, Friday, June 2, 2017 in Paris. Nadal won 6-0, 6-1, 6-0. (Petr David Josek/Associated Press)
Rafa after his easy third-round win:
I don’t know if it was perfection. I went on court thinking it was going to be a tough match … I believe I played the best match since a while.
It is always important to be through, that’s the most important thing, but obviously when you have positive feelings it is even more important.
Basilashvili had been playing well, he won against Gilles Simon in the first round who is tough opponent and also Viktor Troicki.
I’m happy because I had never played against him and I knew it would be tough.
Source: AP
It was a joy watching you…. so proud of you Rafa
Feliz Cumpleaños Rafa!!
Love Rafael. VAMOS RAFA . Since you were ranked 58 at 17 years old. Kimberly even went to Sony Ericsson in Miami to watch 2x; and Rogers in TO multiple x.
Partido 10 como el trofeo k vas a ganar d nuevo…jugando asi…
Y FELICIDADES!!!! K cumplas muchosas y sigua igualcomo eres…
Estoy de acuerdo con el comentario anterior brillante, sigue asi mi Rafa querido Vamos por el 10mo eres nuestro champion por siempre
WOULD LIKE TO SEE RAFA PLAY LIKE TODAY UNTIL THE END OF HIS CAREER HOPEFULLY SEVERAL YEARS LATER.
💪👊👏👍🎉
I am so happy because Rafa is so comfortable in his own skin at the moment and playing superb tennis. I am convinced he will be the real King of Clay and get the championship he really really wants! All his fans are so happy and always behind him. We love his exciting team
Nissan, his impeccable behaviour and his outstanding dedication! No one like him xx
Sigue así, Rafa !!! Tú puedes lograrlo de nuevo!!!! Nina Miolán
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Rafa, you were MERCILESS. Looking forward to seeing you in the fourth round. Your next opponent is going to give you a run for your money. No more easy-peasy. Get the job done.
Vamos vamos vamos!
congratulations champ you are again in the fourth round now you are going to face bautista agut. That will not be easy for you. Be prepare for a big fight. Agut is very good player
What a match. Rafa looked brilliant on the court today. So happy for him <3