Match Report
Blockx busts Ruud’s title defence, reaches Madrid semi-finals
21-year-old Belgian will face Zverev or Cobolli for final spot
April 30, 2026
Mutua Madrid Open
Alexander Blockx in action against Casper Ruud on Thursday at the Mutua Madrid Open.
By Andy West
Alexander Blockx added another significant moment to his spring surge on the European clay Thursday at the Mutua Madrid Open.
The 21-year-old Belgian upset 12th seed and 2025 champion Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 to march into the semi-finals at the clay ATP Masters 1000 event. The World No. 69 Blockx, who had not won an ATP Tour match on clay prior to his third-round run at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters earlier this month, produced a classy all-around display to overwhelm Ruud inside Manolo Santana Stadium.
With his 96-minute triumph, Blockx became the fourth lowest-ranked player to reach the semi-finals in Madrid event history. The 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals competitor is the second man born in 2005 or later to reach the last four at a Masters 1000 event after Jakub Mensik won the Miami Open presented by Itau in 2025.
Standing between Blockx and a spot in his maiden tour-level championship match will be either second seed and two-time champion Alexander Zverev or 10th seed Flavio Cobolli. Zverev and Cobolli will round out the quarter-final action in Madrid on Thursday evening,
More to follow…
