Risky business or lethal weapon Drop shot in focus after Bublik barrage

PARIS - Hit with lots of backslice and a soft touch, the drop shot can be a well-masked weapon in tennis but Alexander Bubliks staggering 37 attempts in Mondays French Open fourth round win over Jack Draper brought the shot sharply into focus.

In todays power game where players -- women and men -- thump the ball from baseline to baseline at a speed of more than 120 kmh, applying the shot can be extremely risky.

When it does work it gets the crowd going and can crush an opponents spirit.

But Kazakh Bublik, among the most naturally gifted players of his generation, used it to maximum effect against his British opponent, leaving even womens world number one Aryna Sabalenka impressed.

That was crazy. I was watching that match, Sabalenka said on Tuesday after her own march into the semi-finals with a straight sets victory over Chinas Zheng Qinwen.

Sabalenka and Zheng hit a total of 20 drop shots combined, compared to Bubliks 37.

I have to say that the drop shot is quite a risky shot, and you really have to have good hands and good understanding of the court to be able to make it, Sabalenka said.

Not every girl is that fearless like Bublik. I watched that match yesterday, and sometimes it was just, like, wow, it just seems like it was his day.

Bubliks drop shot frequency also left his opponent stunned.

He was hitting incredible drop shots all around. I dont play many matches where I feel like its almost out of my control whats going on, and he made that happen, Draper said.

Four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek hit just three in her own quarter-final win over Ukraines Elina Svitolina on Tuesday.

He (Bublik) would just go for the drop shot from the