This season started quite actively for tennis player Nikoloz Basilashvili. In January he competed at the prestigious Tournament in Doha and was very close to getting into quarterfinal. Later followed Australian Open Championship and Indian Wales Masters, where the athlete withdrew from competition from the qualification round. He did not participate in Maiami Masters tournament deciding to try his skills at the Challenger type events.

With the Georgian NOC support the country's No 1 player took part in 125 thousand prize money tournament in Israel planning to move later to Italy and Turkey with the aim of participating in the similar tournaments.

Basilashvili's result at the recently completed Challenger in the city of Ra'anana, Israel can be assesed positively. Georgian player won at the beginning over Australian John Milman, surpassing over Slovenian Blas Kavchich (seeded No1). In quarterfinals Georgian athlete defeated Russina Evgeny Donskoy and for entering finals he obtained victory over Moldovian Radu Albot.

In the decisive match Basilashvili competed with Slovak Lukash Latsko seeded No2 ranking 99th , while 23 year-old Georgian player was in 180th place before Ra'anana tournament. Nevertheless, he has got chances to move forward in the new ranking link acquiring 110 points by winning the major prize. Georgian tennis player won over Slovak opponent in the three set match 4:6, 6:4, 6:3.