Insights

Draper out of Roland Garros

Written by Boluwatitonisola Omoniyi | Jun 3, 2025 9:18:58 AM

Britain's Jack Draper says it feels like a "missed opportunity" to reach the French Open quarter-finals after a surprise defeat by world number 62 Alexander Bublik.

The 23-year-old was given a reality check as Bublik, the second-lowest ranked player left in the draw, claimed an inspired 5-7 6-3 6-2 6-4 win.

World number five Draper lost his way as the maverick Kazakh produced one of the finest displays of his career.

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 later won his last-16 match against Andrey Rublev.

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.

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

A tense finish saw 27-year-old Bublik spurn one match point - and save five break points - before eventually getting over the line.

Draper's loss ended British interest in singles after Cameron Norrie was beaten by 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.