An emotional Alexander Bublik told the Court Suzanne-Lenglen crowd “I can’t cry here” after causing another big upset at the French Open. Last week, the unseeded Kazakh came from two sets down to beat Alex de Minaur. Now, he’s sent No. 5 seed Jack Draper packing.

The world No. 62 survived a marathon final game, saving five break points to win 5-7 6-3 6-2 6-4 and looked closed to tears as collapsed onto the ground in celebration. After receiving a standing ovation, Bublik was told to let his emotions go but refused.

Bublik is known for his on-court antics and has had his fair share of controversies and arguments with umpires. But he’s been a new man in Paris this fortnight and, in a rare sight, became emotional after dumping Draper out in the fourth round.

The 27-year-old was moved by the crowd’s reception to his four-set upset victory and battled back tears as he received a standing ovation during his on-court interview with Alex Corretja.

“You know, sometimes in life, there is only one chance and I had a feeling that was mine and I couldnt let it slip. Standing here, it’s the best moment of my life, period,” the delighted Kazakh said.

“So, thank you, guys. I mean, that’s amazing. I’m standing here like I won the thing, you know! But at the end, what can I say? Thank you guys, I mean, I can’t cry here, come on, stop!”

Corretja encouraged Bublik to let the tears flow, replying: “Let your emotions go, if you want to cry, cry. Why not?”

But the world No. 62 was adamant that he wouldn’t slip up. “No!” he declared.

“I still have a match to go, I still have a match to go, I’m a professional tennis player, I’ve got to get ready. Thank you guys, thank you very much.”

Bublik is now through to his first Grand Slam singles quarter-final, where he faces either world No. 1 Jannik Sinner or Andrey Rublev.

The four-time title winner will be the underdog once again, but he’s thrived against the top players at this tournament. In the second round, he stormed back to beat No. 9 seed De Minaur 2-6 2-6 6-4 6-3 6-2.

It’s been a huge turnaround for Bublik, who was mentally preparing himself to fly home after going two sets down to the Aussie last week.

“I was not thinking this way. I was checking the tickets already in my head. I didn't really care, in a way. I was like I will accept the loss. I have won, what, like 12 or 13 matches on clay this year,” he said at the time.

Now, the world No. 62 finds himself in the last eight after earning the most memorable victory of his career at Draper’s expense.