Japan's Kei Nishikori said he was almost running on empty after being brushed aside 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 by world No. 2 Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals of the French Open on Tuesday.

Seventh-seeded Nishikori was attempting to become the first Japanese since Jiro Sato in 1933 to reach the men's singles semifinals at Roland Garros.

However, 11-time French Open champion Nadal finished off the three-time quarterfinalist in 1 hour and 50 minutes, hitting 29 winners and 22 unforced errors to Nishikori's 17-30 ratio. It was the Spaniard's 11th win in 13 meetings against Nishikori.

"He's a tough opponent on clay. He was hitting heavy balls and his serves were impressive. It took a lot to win one game," said Nishikori, who is now 0-5 against Nadal on clay.

"I had little gas in my tank and I tried to put out everything I had, but I only had 15 or 20 out of a 100. My body couldn't keep up with my mind, thus the unforced errors. It was negative momentum," he said.

The 29-year-old Japanese said it was a challenge to just be on court, and was thankful for a one-hour rain interruption that gave him a mental break when 4-2 down in the third set. He had played five sets over the previous two days against Benoit Paire in the fourth round.

Nadal remains on course for a record-extending 12th French Open men's singles title, and faces Roger Federer in a semifinal showdown.