Volkswacht Bodensee - Bublik downs Draper for 'best moment of his life'

NYSE - LSE
JRI 1.4% 14.25 $
CMSC -0.73% 23.78 $
SCS 0.06% 17.2 $
RBGPF 0% 72.59 $
BCC 0.92% 77.32 $
CMSD -1.24% 24.14 $
NGG 1.2% 72.67 $
BCE 0.51% 23.39 $
RIO 0.14% 66.01 $
RYCEF -0.32% 15.82 $
RELX 1.32% 47.76 $
BTI 0.47% 53.08 $
VOD 0.95% 11.6 $
GSK 4.77% 43.16 $
AZN 3.38% 76.72 $
BP -0.84% 34.46 $
Bublik downs Draper for 'best moment of his life'
Bublik downs Draper for 'best moment of his life' / Photo: © AFP

Bublik downs Draper for 'best moment of his life'

Unseeded Kazakh Alexander Bublik hailed his surprise four-set victory over Jack Draper in the French Open last 16 on Monday as the "best moment of his life".

Text size:

The world number 62, who has dropped from a career-high of 17th a year ago, fought back from a set down to win 5-7, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 and reach the first Grand Slam quarter-final of his career.

"You know, sometimes in life there's only one chance and I had the feeling that that was mine and I couldn't let it slip. Standing here is the best moment of my life, period," said the 27-year-old in his on-court interview.

"You know I'm standing here like I won the thing, but at the end what can I say...

"Thank you guys. I can't cry here, come on, stop. Let me be in peace. I still have a match to go, I'm a professional tennis player, I've got to get ready."

British fifth seed Draper was a heavy favourite after a strong season so far in which he has won the Indian Wells title and reached the Madrid Open final.

But Bublik produced an inspired performance to set up a last-eight tie at Roland Garros against either world number one Jannik Sinner or Russian Andrey Rublev.

Bublik sealed the win in a dramatic final game, in which Draper missed five break points, on his second match point.

R.Kloeti--VB