Suffering a shock loss in the Roland Garros last 16 is a mark of how far Draper has come in the past year.
Twelve months ago in Paris, the Englishman suffered a chastening first-round defeat to 176th-ranked Dutchman Jesper de Jong while still figuring out what his most effective game style was.
Realising he was trying to be too aggressive, Draper sought a better balance.
Winning his first ATP title just a few weeks later helped boost his confidence before he enjoyed a run to the US Open semi-finals.
Improved fitness has also been a key factor.
After winning the biggest title of his career on the Indian Wells hard courts in March, he quickly set about using his most potent tools – first serve and forehand – on the clay.
Reaching the Madrid Open final showed he had the ability to be succeed on the surface and the fifth seed played maturely in his first three matches in Paris, before being thrown off-kilter by Bublik.
“I struggle to put things in perspective, but I am proud of the effort I’ve done on the clay. I think I’ve really improved,” Draper said.
“This year I’m leaving number five in the world, I’ve made the fourth round, I’m playing consistently really good tennis week in and week out.
“I always use the fuel and the hurt to better myself.”
