Alexander Blockx: everything we know so far

Up-and-coming Belgian Alexander Blockx ended the title defence of Casper Ruud on Thursday by defeating the former world number two 6-4, 6-4 to set up a Madrid Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev. Alexander Blockx has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in India.

Key facts

• Up-and-coming Belgian Alexander Blockx ended the title defence of Casper Ruud on Thursday by defeating the former world number two 6-4, 6-4 to set up a Madrid Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev.
• Alexander Blockx’s dream run at the Madrid Open continues with the 21-year-old Belgian beating the defending champion Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 in the quarter-finals.
• MADRID, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Alexander Blockx produced a major upset in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open by beating reigning champion Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday.
• Alexander Blockx’s dream run in Spain’s capital continues with the Belgian beating the defending champion Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 in the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open on Thursday.
• Blockx will face second seed Alexander Zverev, who eliminated 10th-seeded Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 6-4.

What we know

Going deeper, Alexander Blockx’s dream run at the Madrid Open continues with the 21-year-old Belgian beating the defending champion Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 in the quarter-finals.

On the substance, MADRID, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Alexander Blockx produced a major upset in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open by beating reigning champion Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday.

Beyond the headlines, Alexander Blockx’s dream run in Spain’s capital continues with the Belgian beating the defending champion Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 in the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open on Thursday.

More precisely, Blockx will face second seed Alexander Zverev, who eliminated 10th-seeded Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 6-4.

It is worth noting that Blockx, 21, who broke into the top 100 for the first time last month and is at a career-high 69 in the world, has knocked out four consecutive seeds, including third-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime, en route to the final four.

By the numbers

At this stage, Blockx drew first blood, breaking in game three en route to a 3-1 lead.

On a related note, Norwegian Ruud began dictating with his forehand and closed the gap to level for 4-4 but Blockx was unfazed and struck again to regain his advantage and he secured the set on his fourth opportunity after 51 minutes of play.

Going deeper, Blockx made his move in the seventh game of set number two to carve a 5-3 opening and after squandering two match points on Ruud's serve, he closed it out on his own serve to secure the win in 96 minutes.

On the substance, Blockx, the world No 69, became the fourth lowest-ranked player to reach the men’s last four in Madrid, according to the ATP.

What they're saying

“To be honest, I’m just happy with being here,” Blockx said. “Even winning my first match here.

“I’m proud of how I’ve played these past couple of matches,” Blockx said. “The conditions suit me well here.

“I feel so much adrenaline inside, I feel like I’m still nervous,” Andreeva said after her victory. “Honestly, I’m just so happy that I won … I’m very happy with how I served today.”

The wider context

On a related note, Blockx stuns Ruud, teenager Andreeva through at Madrid Open-.

Going deeper, Blockx only moved into the world's top 100 around two months ago.

On the substance, Speaking after his win, Blockx admitted he had never expected to reach his first ATP 1000 semifinal.

Beyond the headlines, Blockx is through to his first tour-level semi-final and is the first Belgian man in tournament history to make it this far at the Madrid Open.

More precisely, Even winning my first match here, I barely escaped in the first round," said Blockx in his on-court interview.

The bottom line

• He now enters the semi-finals with a 10-2 mark on the red dirt through qualifying and main draw matches at ATP level.
• Ruud committed 17 unforced forehand errors during the match and will drop out of the top 20 for the first time since May 2021 when the new rankings are released next week.
• Two-time Madrid champion Zverev reached a seventh semi-final from his last eight Masters 1000 tournaments with a 6-1, 6-4 win against Italian 10th seed Flavio Cobolli, who beat the German en route to the Munich final 12 days ago.
• Searches spiking right now: ATP Madrid Quarterfinal Predictions Including Alexander Zverev vs Flavio Cobolli, Hot Shot: Stretch & smash! Zverev's masterclass vs. Blockx in Madrid 2026, Casper Ruud Vs Alexander Blockx, Madrid Open 2026: Belgian Prodigy Stuns Defending Champ In Quarter-Final, Madrid Open: Alexander Zverev eases past Cobolli into semifinals.