Jack Draper has suffered an unexpected fourth round exit at the French Open to Alexander Bublik.
Draper was the fifth seed at the French Open this year after climbing the ATP rankings following an impressive 2025 season so far.
This made the Briton the big favourite for his fourth round match, but Tim Henman was concerned about Draper playing Bublik.
Those concerns were validated by the world number 62, who fought back to beat Draper and cause a big upset.
Mark Petchey explains why Jack Draper lost to Alexander Bublik at the French Open
Draper took the first set against Bublik, who then fought back to reach the first Grand Slam quarter-final of his career.
In his victory, Bublik hit an impressive 68 winners and Emma Raducanu’s coach Mark Petchey explained that it was all about him on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, rather than Draper making mistakes.
“Listen, when you bring a very versatile game to a clay court with a serve like that you can do untold damage,” Petchey said on TNT Sports. “And credit to him, he has played some beautiful tennis out there.
“That is not about Jack not playing well. That is about Bublik being the problem he can be on the tennis court.”
Petchey’s comments were echoed by former French Open semi-finalist Henman, who witnessed some of Bublik’s 68 winners courtside.
“It was a tough day at the office and I think where Bublik deserves extra credit is the way he went about it,” said Henman. “Jack was the one who got off to a solid start, they were holding serve comfortably. Jack got that break at the end of the first set. He wins it 7-5 and then he gets the early break in the third set.
“You think wow this is where Jack had the opportunity but I think this is where Bublik showed his resilience. Mark mentioned his skillset. Unbelievable ball striking, his second serve just going for absolutely everything.
“I went out there courtside for a set and a half and the quality of play was magnificent. That is where Bublik deserves enormous credit.”
Alexander Bublik reacts to his win over Jack Draper
Bublik was noticeably emotional on court after becoming the first man representing Kazakhstan to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final.
This continued into his on-court interview, where Bublik described his victory over Draper as the greatest moment of his life.
“Sometimes in life there’s only one chance and I had a feeling that that was mine and I couldn’t let it slip, so standing here it is the best moment of my life…period,” said Bublik. “So thank you guys that was amazing.”
He added, “You know I’m standing here like I’ve won the thing. But in the end what can I say thank you guys, I mean I can’t cry here please stop.”
Bublik will now look to make more history for himself and his nation, as he takes on the winner of Jannik Sinner and Andrey Rublev for a place in the French Open semi-finals.
On the other hand, Draper will now turn his attention to the grass court season, which he will start at Queen’s Club beginning on June 16.
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