Alexander Blockx Makes Belgian Tennis History with US Open Quarterfinal Run

A Historic Breakthrough in New York

Alexander Blockx, ranked No. 34 in the ATP rankings, secured his landmark victory over the 25th-seeded Cerundolo in a hard-fought fourth-round encounter. The run marks Blockx’s first career appearance in the second week of a Grand Slam event. Prior to his breakthrough against Cerundolo, the Belgian notched a notable upset by defeating world No. 6 Flavio Cobolli. With his quarterfinal qualification, Blockx is assured of climbing into the ATP top 30 when the tournament concludes.

Overcoming Mid-Match Physical Adversity

The path to history was far from straightforward for the Belgian competitor. After comfortably claiming the opening set, Blockx experienced sharp pain in his ribs during the second game of the second set, prompting a medical timeout. Cerundolo capitalized on the physical dip to control the pace and level the match by taking the second set 6-4.

“Dès le deuxième jeu, j’ai eu très mal au niveau des côtes. Pour être honnête j’essayais seulement de tenir bon, puis le docteur m’a donné un médicament magique et ça allait beaucoup mieux,” Blockx remarked with a laugh after the match, as reported by RTS.

Following treatment, Blockx regained his mobility and court aggression. The third set proved pivotal as the Belgian broke serve to lead 3-1, only for Cerundolo to immediately respond with a powerful forehand winner. Blockx subsequently erased three break points while serving at 5-5 under intense pressure before breaking Cerundolo’s serve to seal the tight third set.

Nail-Biting Finish in the Fourth Set

The fourth set mirrored the physical and mental intensity of the preceding games. Both competitors traded blows from the baseline, but Cerundolo’s fluctuating consistency ultimately proved costly. The Argentine dropped his serve late in the frame, allowing Blockx to close out the match and clinch his historic quarterfinal berth.

Quarterfinal Showdown Against Khachanov

Looking ahead, Alexander Blockx faces a stern test against Karen Khachanov (ATP 50) in the quarterfinals. Khachanov advanced to the last eight after overcoming Geneva Open champion Learner Tien (ATP 15) in a demanding five-set battle. The upcoming fixture represents another major milestone for Blockx as he continues his deep run on the hard courts at Flushing Meadows.