PARIS — British tennis star Jack Draper suffered a heartbreaking defeat at the French Open, falling to Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik in a grueling five-set battle that saw the 22-year-old squander five break points in the final game. The 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 loss served as a brutal reminder of Draper's struggles to close out matches at the highest level.
Draper, ranked No. 35 in the world, had entered Roland Garros with high hopes after a strong clay-court season, including a semifinal run in Lyon. However, Bublik's unorthodox style and relentless aggression proved too much for the Brit, who was left visibly frustrated after failing to capitalize on multiple opportunities to force a decisive tiebreak in the fifth set.
A Missed Opportunity in the Deciding Set
With the match hanging in the balance at 5-4 in the fifth set, Draper had five chances to break Bublik’s serve and extend the contest. Yet, each time, the Kazakh player dug deep, unleashing a mix of drop shots, underarm serves, and blistering forehands to deny the Brit. "I just couldn’t find the right shot at the right moment," Draper admitted in his post-match press conference.
Key moments that cost Draper included:
- A missed backhand pass at 30-40 that sailed long
- A poorly executed drop shot attempt at deuce that Bublik easily chased down
- A double fault on his own serve earlier in the set that handed Bublik the break
Bublik’s Mind Games and Tactical Brilliance
Bublik, known for his unpredictable play, kept Draper off balance throughout the match. The world No. 19 deployed a mix of:
- Underarm serves to disrupt Draper’s rhythm
- Heavy topspin forehands to exploit the Brit’s weaker backhand side
- Frequent net approaches to pressure Draper into passing shots
"He’s a nightmare to play," Draper said of Bublik. "You never know what’s coming next, and today he just had the answers when it mattered."
Draper’s Ongoing Struggles in Five-Setters
The loss extended Draper’s dismal record in five-set matches to 1-6 in his career. Despite his physical improvements this season, fatigue appeared to set in during the latter stages, with his first-serve percentage dropping from 72% in the first set to just 54% in the fifth. "I need to get better at handling these long matches," he conceded.
A Glimpse of Promise
Despite the defeat, Draper showed flashes of the talent that has many tipping him as a future top-10 player. His powerful lefty serve and aggressive baseline game troubled Bublik for stretches, particularly in the first and third sets. However, consistency remains an issue, with 52 unforced errors ultimately proving his undoing.
What’s Next for Draper?
Draper will now shift his focus to the grass-court season, where he’ll look to build on his strong performances at Wimbledon last year. With a game well-suited to faster surfaces, he’ll be eager to put this Roland Garros disappointment behind him. "Grass is where I feel most comfortable, and I’ll be ready," he vowed.
Meanwhile, Bublik advances to the third round, where he’ll face Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti. The Kazakh, who has never progressed past the fourth round at a Grand Slam, will be hoping this victory sparks a deep run in Paris.
For Draper, the match served as another harsh lesson in the fine margins of elite tennis. "It’s tough to take, but I’ll learn from it," he said. "I know I’m close."
As the Brit left Court Simonne-Mathieu, the echoes of Bublik’s celebrations were a stark reminder of the ruthlessness required to succeed at the highest level. Draper’s time will come—but for now, the wait continues.