Draper given reality check by inspired Bublik

French Open 2025

Dates: 25 May-8 June Venue: Roland Garros

Coverage: Live radio commentaries across 5 Live Sport and BBC Sounds, plus live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website and app

Jack Draper was given a reality check as world number 62 Alexander Bublik produced a phenomenal fourth-round performance to end British interest in the French Open singles.

Fifth seed Draper lost his way in a 5-7 6-3 6-2 6-4 defeat by the maverick Kazakh.

The British number one was largely expected to continue his sharp rise on the clay and tee up a potential quarter-final against top seed Jannik Sinner, who plays his fourth-round match later on Monday.

However, Bublik unleashed an array of spectacular shot-making - using the drop-shot to devastating effect in particular - on his way to a superb victory.

A tense finish saw Bublik spurn one match point - and save five break points to Draper - before eventually getting over the line.

It is Draper's worst defeat by ranking since his first-round exit at Roland Garros last year.

"Sometimes in life there is only one chance and today, I think it was mine," said Bublik, who was ranked as high as 17th in 2024.

"I couldn't let it slip. I think it is the best moment of my life."

Draper's loss came a little over an hour after British number three Cameron Norrie also suffered defeat.

Norrie was beaten in straight sets by 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.

Suffering a shock loss in the Roland Garros last 16 is a mark of how far Draper has come in the past year.

Twelve months ago in Paris, the 23-year-old Englishman suffered a chastening first-round defeat to 176th-ranked Dutchman Jesper de Jong while still figuring out what his most effective game style was.

Realising he was trying to be too aggressive, Draper sought a better balance. Winning his first ATP title just a few weeks later helped boost his confidence before he enjoyed a run to the US Open semi-finals.

Improved fitness has also been a key factor.

After winning the biggest title of his career on the Indian Wells hard courts in March, he quickly set about using his most potent tools – first serve and forehand – on the clay.

There is no doubting Bublik's talent, but plenty of questions have been raised about his application.

He was locked in from the start as an evenly-matched opening set saw neither player able to create a break opportunity until Draper applied pressure in the 10th game.

Bublik buckled, with a double fault gifting Draper the chance to serve out the opening set a- nd the Briton took his opportunity.

But Draper was punished as soon as his level dropped in the second set, with Bublik coming back from an early break down to level the match..

The increasing use – and success - of the drop-shot allowed Bublik to forge a double-break lead in the third set, with Draper looking increasingly befuddled as he tried to find a solution.

A bathroom break before the fourth set did not provide an answer, though, as Draper lost his serve in the opening game and could not recover the deficit despite his late rally.