Wonder if Novak Djokovic caught any of Rafa's win? And I wonder if the speed of the victories for both the Spaniard, and his compatriot Garbine Muguruza in the match before, affected the Serb's preparations?

The world number two is next up on Court Philippe Chatrier - weather permitting. Djoko is about to start against diminutive Argentine Diego Schwartzman.

However, it is time for me to hit the BBC canteen, so head over to Sportsday for the latest news.

Au revoir!

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Roland Garros

Nadal gets it done just as an ominous black cloud rolls overhead and deposits the first few raindrops of the day. It's still holding off for now but a storm has felt inevitable all week. And bad news for Murray/Del Potro fans - the Saturday afternoon forecast is a shocker.

Image source, BBC Sport

James Stevenson: What does Nadal think this is, football? #90minutes

"Happy birthday to.. me!"

That wonderful win is not a bad present for Nadal, who turns 31 tomorrow, to give himself.

And the Real Madrid supporter is hoping his favourite football team can make it an even better day by winning the Champions League final tomorrow night.

"Tomorrow is a special day, because it is my birthday, that's not the good news! The only good news is that I will have my birthday at Roland Garros for one more year - that is always special.

"And tomorrow night I will be in front of the TV supporting my team. I hope Real Madrid win another time but it will tough."

As we told you right at the top of the show, Rafa Nadal was playing his 100th best-of-five match on clay today. That's now 98 wins...

One of the greatest tennis players of all-time, eloquent in three languages, always charming, and devilishly good-looking.

If he wasn't such a nice bloke, Rafa Nadal would make you sick...

Rafa Nadal after his easy third-round win: "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.

"He hits the ball so quick but I believe I played my best match in a while."

Leon Smith
Great Britain Davis Cup captain on Radio 5 live sports extra

That was utterly brilliant, clinical and relentless from Nadal. He is moving great, he's confident, his forehand is so aggressive and he's hitting winners on his backhand.

He is in great form and it will take one heck of a performance from someone else to beat this guy.

Shoelaces tied (twice) and now it is time for Rafa's on-court interview. Once we've translated it from French...

Dropping only one game against the Georgian world number 63 is a new best for Rafa at Roland Garros.

Not how Basilashvili was hoping to go into the record books today...

Rafa serves for the match. Only after we see a quick flash of lightning and hear a loud rumble of thunder...

Even the weather won't hold Rafa up. Two more break points for the Spanish fourth seed look to be wrapping up this game quick sharp.

Hang on... Basilashvili battles back from 15-40. Deuce sees the Georgian beaten by more Rafa brilliance, a quick flick of that left wrist, low and angled, leaves Basilasvili only able to scramble forward and hit the net.

Rafa miscalculates a forehand in the next point, before going on to rack up a third break point.

This time he gets it. Basilashvili loses his head with a weak backhand into the net.

Leon Smith
Great Britain Davis Cup captain on Radio 5 live sports extra

It is infuriating for Nadal because he wants to wrap this match up quickly and there's the possibility that the rain might delay his progress.

That seemed to distract him and his concentration dropped enough to let Basilashvili in.

Image source, Getty Images

So close, yet so far...

Nadal's sprightly jog to his bag, contrasted with a hunched-shouldered Basilashvili trudging across the baseline, tells you how deuce panned out.

Rafa targets the Georgian's backhand, it pays dividends, and the fourth seed wraps up the hold after winning five points on the spin.

Wooaah! Where's this come from? Nikoloz Basilashvili has mustered three break points from somewhere.

Rafa wipes out the second with a sublime backhand which bends around the net post and back into play. The third goes with a trademark top-spinning forehand.

Deuce...

Basilasvili's mood has been dark for the past hour and a bit, and now the clouds above Roland Garros are following suit. A few brollies are going up. Hopefully it will just pass over.

Hurry up Rafa! That he does with another simple hold.

If the Georgian doesn't win another game - very possible - then it will be Rafa's biggest win at Roland Garros.

Another game, another routine Rafa hold. Not much else to say really.

Rafa's first serve percentage is relatively low at 57%, but it hasn't hampered him. He has a win percentage of 88% on second serve.

Naveed Afzal: Rafa on FIRE!!!! This is the Rafa I know and love. He's playing at a ridiculously high level today

Image source, Getty Images

Nadal sees another break point - his eight of the match - disappear when Basilashvili spoils the party with a drop-shot.

The Georgian drops to haunches, probably in shock that he managed to bamboozle his illustrious opponent.

Nadal lets another slip through his fingers, but Basilashvili can't take advantage to nudge himself ahead.

Third break point for Rafa...this time he gets it. A baseline rally ends when Basilashvili loses control with a forehand which lands nearer the linejudge's feet than the baseline.