Jack Draper has fallen in the fourth round of the French Open, where the fifth seed lost to Alexander Bublik.
Mark Petchey credits Bublik for his win over Draper, as opposed to the Briton performing poorly in their Paris clash.
He became the first Kazakhstani man to reach a Grand Slam singles quarter-final thanks to his win, in which he beat Draper 5-7, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.
Tim Henman was worried for Draper ahead of his meeting with Bublik, who also beat top 10 player Alex de Minaur earlier in the tournament.
He now faces world number one Jannik Sinner in the French Open quarter-finals, with James Duckworth and Henrique Rocha representing his other victims in Paris.
Jack Draper messages Alexander Bublik after French Open defeat
And ahead of his next test, ATP number 62 Bublik has received a message from world number five Draper, who took to social media following their exciting battle.
He wrote on Instagram: “Until next year Paris… congrats Alexander Bublik on an incredible performance yesterday and all the best for the rest of the tournament!!
“I’ll keep learning and improving to reach my goals as always. Thank you for all the support and [love heart emoji].”
And his most recent opponent was quick to reciprocate that feeling, responding to Draper with a love heart emoji.
Serena Williams’ former coach says what Alexander Bublik does more than any top player in tennis history
Bublik, who once reached a career-high of 17 in the ATP rankings, is on the brink of a return to the top 40 thanks to his Roland Garros run.
But he will be eager to continue his successful venture in the French capital, although he has a very unenviable task up next against Sinner.
READ MORE: Rennae Stubbs left stunned by French Open tournament director’s comments, ‘it is shocking to me’
Bublik will, however, be on a huge high after his superb comeback victory over Draper, in which he won 79% of his first serve points and converted on five of six break points.
Sharing his verdict on the Kazakhstani ace, Serena Williams’ former coach Rick Macci wrote on X: “Bublik throws in the drop/underhand serve and low outrageous shots more than any top player in the history of tennis.
“You always play the WHAT IF card with him if he would play the percentages and mentally lock in. But it is what it is and you are what you are but he loves to perform his way but could have been a top ten star.”
Three-time Grand Slam champion Sinner now stands in his way of a semi-final spot, with the Italian having played the role of villain at the event so far.
He has knocked out two home favourites in Frenchmen Arthur Rinderknech and Richard Gasquet, as well as defeating Andrey Rublev and Jiri Lehecka.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
