Madrid
Blockx sinks Auger-Aliassime in Madrid: ‘I had so much confidence’
Belgian sets fourth-round meeting with Cerundolo at clay ATP Masters 1000 event
April 27, 2026
Mutua Madrid Open
Alexander Blockx in action against Felix Auger-Aliassime on Monday in Madrid.
By Jerome Coombe
Alexander Blockx continued his rapid rise on European clay on Monday at the Mutua Madrid Open, where he stunned World No. 5 Felix Auger-Aliassime to advance to the fourth round of the ATP Masters 1000 event.
The 20-year-old Belgian produced a composed, all-court performance in the Spanish capital to prevail 7-6(3), 6-3 and record his first win over a Top-10 opponent. Blockx, who also reached the last 16 in Monte-Carlo earlier this month, is this week up 16 spots to No. 53 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, having begun the season as the World No. 117.
THE BIGGEST WIN OF HIS CAREER 💥@MutuaMadridOpen | #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/DWUW7HavJz
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 27, 2026
“I was serving amazing from the beginning of the match,” said Blockx, who saved the only break point he faced, according to Infosys ATP Stats. “I had so much confidence. I didn’t even think about panicking or losing my serve. I was playing well in the rallies, too, so I knew even if I missed a few serves, I could play the rallies.”
Blockx, who reached the final on debut at last year’s Next Gen ATP Finals, is one of three players from the 2025 edition of the 20-and-under event to record a first Top 10 win this week in Madrid. Spain’s Rafael Jodar defeated Alex de Minaur, while Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic edged Ben Shelton.
Facing Auger-Aliassime for the first time in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, Blockx proved clinical across the board, combining sharp baseline play with efficient serving. The 20-year-old will next take on 16th seed Francisco Cerundolo, who earlier eased past Luciano Darderi 6-2, 6-3.
“In the first set, I was just trying to find my game, ” Blockx added. “On my service games it went pretty smoothly, [as it did] on his service games. I had a couple of chances. But in the second set, it was one of my best levels I have played here.”
