Alexander Bublik delivered one of the most surprising performances of the 2025 tennis season, stunning world No. Jack Draper in the French Open last to reach his first-ever Grand Slam quarterfinal. The unseeded Kazakh, ranked No. 62, rallied from a set down to defeat Draper 5-7, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in a match filled with drama and unpredictable shot-making.
Bublik, known for his flair and unconventional style, frustrated Draper with a mix of drop shots, slices, and sudden bursts of power. Draper, who had been in top form after recent successes at Indian Wells and Madrid, struggled to maintain his composure as Bublik’s variety and precision broke his rhythm After losing a tight first set, Bublik took control, dominating on serve and capitalizing on Draper’s mounting errors.
Visibly emotional after the victory, Bublik called it “the best moment of my life,” collapsing on the clay in tears as the crowd gave him a standing ovation He credited a more relaxed approach to tennis and life for his newfound success, saying he now balances his career with family and personal well-being.
Bublik’s win makes him the first Kazakh man to reach a Grand Slam singles quarterfinal, where he will face either world No. Jannik Sinner or Andrey Rublev in the next round For Draper, the loss was a tough blow, admitting he missed his opportunity and was unable to play his best tennis under pressure.
Bublik’s unpredictable style and career-best run have quickly become one of the most talked-about stories at Roland Garros this year.
