Rafael Nadal took another step towards a 10th French Open title after demolishing Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-0, 6-1, 6-0 in the third round on Friday. This is the fewest number of games that the Spaniard has dropped in a completed Grand Slam match. Nadal will now face his compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut in the round of 16.
Fourth seed Nadal coasted to the most one-sided win of his Roland Garros career as his 63rd-ranked opponent, playing his first match on Philippe Chatrier Court, was struck down by stagefright.
It was the 100th best-of-five set match on clay that Nadal had played in his career.
His record now stands at 98-2 with his only two losses coming at Roland Garros.
“Perfection? I don’t know about that,” said Nadal.
Basilashvili, 25, hit just five winners and committed 34 unforced errors in his 90-minute horror show.
Nadal, who turns 31 on Saturday, will meet fellow Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut for a place in the quarter-finals.
This was also the 100th best-of-five-sets match on clay that Nadal had played in his career and he made it a memorable one with his invincible performance. His record at Roland Garros now stands at 98 wins and only two losses. The hapless Basilashvili, 25, hit just five winners and committed 34 unforced errors in his 90-minute horror show.
With inputs from AFP
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