Jack Draper holds a perfect record against Alexander Bublik in their previous ATP Tour encounters.
French Open 2025
Dates: May 25 – June 8 Venue: Roland Garros
Coverage: Live radio commentary on BBC 5 Live Sport and BBC Sounds, alongside live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.
“Last year he was ranked 40th, and this year he’s in the top four; that’s an incredible achievement.”
Alexander Bublik isn’t the only one impressed. Jack Draper’s meteoric rise has captivated the tennis world.
The British number one’s ascent has been undeniable.
Draper’s ranking has skyrocketed over the past year. Following a US Open semi-final run in 2024, he’s delivered a string of impressive results in 2025, culminating in his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells.
Having reached the fourth round at Roland Garros, Bublik is the next hurdle for the soon-to-be world number four.
“Jack, to me, is insane,” Bublik commented. “I saw him here; I thought, ‘Is he preparing for UFC?’
“How do I beat him? I don’t know. I’ll just go out there, enjoy it, and showcase my abilities.”
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In the 23-year-old Draper, British tennis fans sense the emergence of a potential Grand Slam champion.
Former British world number four, Tim Henman, recently told BBC Sport that Draper’s strengths – his left-handed serve and powerful forehand – are effective on any surface.
Before this year, however, Draper had a winless record at the clay-court major, his success primarily on hard courts and grass.
He’s made significant progress on clay this season, reaching his first clay final in Madrid in April.
Avoiding the injuries that hampered him previously has significantly improved his fitness, a key factor in his clay-court improvement.
Now, only the world number 62 stands between him and another Grand Slam quarter-final.
While Draper enjoys a career-best year, Bublik’s ranking plummeted from a high of 17th in 2024 to 82nd in March.
This prompted a drastic change. He took a trip to Las Vegas to de-stress.
“My decline wasn’t due to poor attitude or lack of practice,” he explained.
“It was the opposite. I burned out waiting for results.
“I thought more practice and better forehands would solve it. They didn’t, and I reached a point of ‘Why am I sacrificing so much?'”
Asked if the Nevada trip was a training trip, Bublik clarified: “No, Vegas, Vegas, a ‘hangover’ kind of Vegas.
“Three good days. I let it all out. I thought, ‘I’m useless now, can’t win, so let’s see what happens.'”
It worked. Bublik won his next event, the Challenger tournament in Phoenix, arriving three hours before his first match. He also triumphed on clay in Turin last month.
The 27-year-old is steadily climbing the rankings again – but Draper aims to delay his first Grand Slam quarter-final appearance.
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For the first time since 1963, two British men have reached the fourth round at Roland Garros.
Cameron Norrie is the other, his victory over compatriot Jacob Fearnley setting up a last-16 clash with 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic on Court Philippe Chatrier on Monday.
World number 81 Norrie has faced challenges in recent years after reaching a career-high ranking of eighth in 2022.
His win over Fearnley means Norrie, 29, has now reached the fourth round at every Grand Slam.
“Reaching the second week for the first time is fantastic, especially after struggling to string wins together,” he said.
“I’ve built momentum, something I’ve struggled with for the past year and a half.
“I’m enjoying my tennis again. It’s a chance to play a highly competitive match against one of the best.”
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