Jack Draper v Alexander Bublik LIVE: British No 1 stunned at French Open after Djokovic beats Norrie
The fourth round saw British hopes in the French Open come to an end
Jack Draper saw his quest for a first Grand Slam come to an end as he was stunned by Alexander Bublik 7-5 3-6 2-6 4-6 to crash out of the French Open.
Cameron Norrie’s clash with Novak Djokovic ended in disappointment on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Having never before beaten the World No. 6 Norrie always faced an uphill battle and so it proved as Djokovic flew through three sets for a 6-2 6-3 6-2 victory.
Earlier, Ekaterina Alexandrova was defeated in straight set by American Coco Gauff who looks to be in impressive form and native French woman Lois Boisson shocked the women’s No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula in a three set thriller.
The evening session is headlined by men’s No. 1 seed Jannik Sinner who has yet to drop a set in this campaign having swept Arthur Rinderknech, Richard Gasquet, and Jiri Lehecka aside with relative ease. Tonight’s opponent is Andrey Rublev who should pose more of a threat.
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Bad day for the Brits
Jack Draper crashed out of the French Open in a shock fourth-round defeat by world number 62 Alexander Bublik.
The British number one and fifth seed seemed to have his head scrambled by the unpredictable slugger from Kazakhstan as he slumped to a 5-7 6-3 6-2 6-4 loss.
It meant an end to Britain’s hopes in the singles at Roland Garros after Cameron Norrie, somewhat less surprisingly, was beaten by Novak Djokovic about an hour earlier.
Jack Draper knocked out of the French Open by Alexander Bublik
A historic moment for Kazakhstan
Alexander Bublik made history as the first Kazakh man to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final - and how!
Alexander Bublik does what he "didn't know" how to do
Before this match, Alexander Bublik admitted that he was intimidated by the mesmeric rise of Jack Draper - and didn’t exactly know how he was going to overcome the Brit.
Well, know he does know. Here’s what he had to say:
Jack Draper’s ‘UFC’ regiment that has Alexander Bublik at a loss on how to beat him
Jack Draper crashes out of French Open
Alexander Bublik stuns Jack Draper to send British No 1 packing from Roland Garros
Emotional scenes as Alexander Bublik is in tears, overcome with the fact he’s just reached his first ever Grand Slam quarter-final.
“Sometimes in life there is only one chance and I had a feeling this was mine,” Bublik said.
“Standing here is the best moment of my life, period.
“I’m standing here like I’ve won the thing. I can’t cry here, let me be in peace! I still have a match to go, I’m a professional tennis player, I’ve got to get ready.”
Jack Draper 7-5 3-6 2-6 4-6 Alexander Bublik* - GAME, SET & MATCH!
Bublik gets to match point once again. AND THIS TIME, HE GETS IT DONE!
Jack Draper gave it his all - but he is out of the French Open.
Jack Draper 7-5 3-6 2-6 4-5 Alexander Bublik*
Bublik gets a stroke of luck to go within a point of the quarters, hitting the top of the net with a drop shot that allows the ball to creep back in play.
The Kazakh then goes for another drop for the match - but for once, Draper gets there and beats him!
Bublik is looking nervy now - two double faults give Draper two more break points, but he is able to salvage both opportunities back to deuce.
On the baseline, Draper gives Bublik a taste of his own medicine as he floats a drop shot over the net. But Bublik is too good once again, keeping Draper running and blasting a forehand to force deuce once more.
Still this goes on!
Jack Draper 7-5 3-6 2-6 4-5 Alexander Bublik*
Bublik, serving for a piece of Kazakh history.
He kicks things off with an ace, but it’s Draper who lifts the crowd as he produces an UNBELIEVABLE shot. The shot looks long gone as Draper chases it towards the backboard, but the British No 1 is able to flick the risk and fire it back just over the net!
Bublik then goes long before Draper calls a correct wide to give the Brit two break points. A huge lifeline in the French Open.
But it’s two missed opportunities as a wild forehand catches the top of his racket and flies into the crowd!
We go to deuce.
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