Alexander Blockx: everything we know so far

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. Alexander Blockx has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in South Africa.

Key facts

• 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.
• The big surprise of the 2026 Mutua Madrid Open is named Alexander Blockx.
• 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, the world No 69, became the fourth lowest-ranked player to reach the men’s last four in Madrid, according to the ATP.
• “To be honest, I’m just happy with being here,” Blockx said. “Even winning my first match here.

What we know

Going deeper, the big surprise of the 2026 Mutua Madrid Open is named Alexander Blockx.

On the substance, 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.

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

More precisely, 30 Apr 2026 | 17:00 Blockx, the great surprise of Madrid: "I don't know what my limit is.

It is worth noting that 30 Apr 2026 | 16:00 Ruud, after falling to Blockx: "I was surprised because I didn't find weaknesses in his game.

By the numbers

At this stage, the 21-year-old had not won an ATP Tour match on clay before his third-round run in Monte Carlo three weeks ago.

On a related note, He is the second man born in 2005 or later to reach the semis at a Masters 1000 after Jakub Mensik, who won in Miami in 2025.

Going deeper, Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz was back at the Madrid Open on Thursday – but only as a spectator to watch his younger brother Jaime in an under-16 tournament.

On the substance, the world No 2 was in the stands as Jaime Alcaraz defeated fellow Spaniard Pol Mas 6-3, 6-3.

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, Belgian is fourth lowest-ranked player to reach last four.

Going deeper, Other relatives were on hand to watch the tournament debut of the 14-year-old Jaime.

On the substance, a disciplined Mirra Andreeva saw off a late challenge from Hailey Baptiste to prevail 6-4, 7-6 (8) in a battle of nerves to reach the final of the Madrid Open.

Beyond the headlines, Andreeva, who turned 19 on Wednesday, is 12-1 on clay so far this season, with a title run in Linz, a semi- final showing in Stuttgart and now a final appearance in Madrid, where she awaits Anastasia Potapova or Marta Kostyuk.

More precisely, Baptiste had shocked the world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter-finals, saving six match points, but the 24-year-old struggled as the ninth seed Andreeva conceded only two points on serve in the first set.

The bottom line

• The big surprise of the 2026 Mutua Madrid Open is named Alexander Blockx.
• The 21-year-old had not won an ATP Tour match on clay before his third-round run in Monte Carlo three weeks ago.
• The world No 2 was in the stands as Jaime Alcaraz defeated fellow Spaniard Pol Mas 6-3, 6-3.
• Searches spiking right now: Hot Shot: Stretch & smash! Zverev's masterclass vs. Blockx in Madrid 2026, Blockx rocking to beat champion Ruud as Andreeva holds off Baptiste in Madrid, Blockx stuns Ruud, Zverev beats Cobolli to set up Madrid semi clash, Alexander Blockx ends Casper Ruud's Madrid title defence with shock win to reach semis.