French Open 2025: Bublik Hails Draper’s “Insane” Rise Ahead of Roland-Garros Showdown, With Sinner Test Looming
SME News UK. the standout stories in men’s tennis over the past year, highlighted by a semi-final appearance at the 2024 US Open, a title run at Indian Wells, and a runner-up finish in Madrid. His consistency and big-match temperament have turned heads across the tennis world — and caught Bublik’s attention.“I will just go there, enjoy the time, show what I’m capable of showing,” Bublik added. “We all know what I can do on court. Jack is not only a great player, but a great person.”The two have met twice previously on the ATP Tour, with Draper prevailing on both occasions — at Queen’s in 2021 and in Adelaide last year. However, their rivalry dates back further, to qualifiers at Queen’s in 2019, when Bublik got the better of a teenage Draper.“I remember when he beat me in Queen’s, he told me, ‘I finally got you,’” Bublik recalled with a smile. “I said, ‘Let’s speak when you’re in the top 50.’ Back then, he was ranked around 300 — and now, he’s top five. So now I need to have some courage and see how it goes.”The winner of Draper vs. Bublik is expected to face Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals, provided the Italian star defeats Andrey Rublev in his own round-of-16 matchup.As Roland-Garros moves into its decisive second week, all eyes are on Draper’s next step in his rapid rise — and whether Bublik can deliver the kind of magic that’s made him one of the sport’s most unpredictable talents.
