Nikoloz Basilashvili gift-wrapped Rafael Nadal his easiest ever Grand Slam victory on Friday and admitted his ability to win just one game was ‘quite embarrassing and quite disappointing’.
The 25-year-old Georgian slumped to a 6-0, 6-1, 6-0 defeat to the nine-champion in a ruthless dissection on Philippe Chatrier court.
It was nine-time champion Nadal’s most comfortable Grand Slam victory, edging out the two games he lost in a straight-sets romp over Juan Monaco in Paris in 2012.
“It’s quite disappointing and quite embarrassing, but I have to accept it,” said a downcast Basilashvili, the world number 63.
He had reached the third round with impressive wins over French 31st seed Gilles Simon and experienced Davis Cup winner Viktor Troicki.
But he was no match for Nadal who was playing in his 100th best-of-five sets match on clay courts.
Friday’s romp took Nadal to 98-2 in his career with his only two losses coming at Roland Garros.
“Perfection? I don’t know about that,” said Nadal, who turns 31 on Saturday.
Basilashvili hit just five winners and committed 34 unforced errors in his 90-minute horror show.
“He’s a much, much better player than I am obviously,” said the Georgian.
“And it’s going to take a lot of work if I want to play on Centre Court and play good match against him.
“Also his game is something very difficult to handle and to come up with something from my game.”
“I have a lot of things to improve physically, mentally, and technical-wise also.”
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