Bublik Ends Rocha's Impressive Run and Reaches First Roland-Garros Round of 16

No one could have predicted Alexander Bublik’s presence in the second week of Roland-Garros.

The unpredictable Kazakh player, who had already imagined himself back home in Monaco when trailing Alex De Minaur by two sets, staged a comeback as thrilling as it was improbable. This allowed him to advance to the third round against qualifier Henrique Rocha, ranked 200th in the world.

The Portuguese had previously overturned Jakub Mensik in five sets, but after playing his sixth match in a week at Porte d’Auteuil, Rocha ran out of steam on Saturday. He held on for one set, which Bublik claimed 7-5, before fading and losing the next two sets 6-1 and 6-2.

For the first time in his career, Bublik has reached the round of 16 at Roland-Garros. He will face world No. 5 Jack Draper next.