Blockx Stuns Defending Champ Ruud in Madrid, Reaches First ATP Semi

Blockx makes history for Belgium, ends Ruud’s reign to reach Madrid semifinals

Alexander Blockx beat defending champion Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 to reach his first ATP semifinal at the Madrid Open. The 21-year-old Belgian has now defeated four straight seeds.

Blockx continued his dream Madrid run by ousting Ruud in 96 minutes. The Belgian is 10-2 on clay at ATP level and has knocked out Auger-Aliassime, Ruud, and two other seeds...

Rising Belgian Alexander Blockx knocked out defending champion Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday, ending the former world No. 2’s run and moving into the Madrid Open semifinals.

  

The 21-year-old, who cracked the top 100 last month and now sits at a career-high No. 69, has taken out four straight seeds on his way to the last four, including third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Blockx has reached his first tour-level semifinal and becomes the first Belgian man to advance this far in Madrid Open history.

Before this month, he had never contested a tour-level match on clay. He now heads into the semifinals with a 10-2 record on the surface at ATP level, including qualifying and main-draw matches.

 

“To be honest, I don't know, I'm just happy being here. Even winning my first match here, I barely escaped in the first round,” Blockx said in his on-court interview.

“I was happy about that already, but semi-finals is something I wouldn't have even dreamed of to begin with. I'm proud with how I'm playing the last couple of matches.”

Blockx struck first, breaking in the third game to jump out to a 3-1 lead.

ALEXANDER THE GREAT! 🫡@MutuaMadridOpen | #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/UnB8sUdr9y

— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 30, 2026

Norway’s Ruud started taking control with his forehand and pulled level at 4-4, but Blockx didn’t flinch. He broke again to retake the lead and closed out the set on his fourth chance after 51 minutes.

Blockx broke in the seventh game of the second set to open up a 5-3 lead. He missed two match points on Ruud’s serve, but served it out himself to lock up the win in 96 minutes.

New kid on the Blockx 🙌

Alexander Blockx ends defending champion Ruud’s 9-match winning streak in Madrid to reach the last four!#MMOpen pic.twitter.com/x4imm7W2US

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 30, 2026

Ruud hit 17 unforced forehand errors in the match and is set to fall outside the top 20 when the new rankings come out next week.