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.”
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 quarterfinal 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 favorite 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 No. 1 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.
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