MADRID/WASHINGTON, April 28, 2026 (by Michael Dickens)
Like Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens crafting a masterpiece filled with energy and intricate detail, young Alexander Blockx has come alive this month, using European clay as his canvas to create dynamic and memorable victories.
On Monday, at the Mutua Madrid Open, the 20-year-old Belgian from Antwerp advanced to his second ATP Masters 1000 fourth round after reaching the same stage at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters earlier this month. The 69th-ranked Blockx recorded the biggest win of his career with his 7-6 (3), 6-3 victory over World No. 5 and third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada in an hour and 33 minutes on Stadium 3. It followed back-to-back three-set wins over Cristian Garin of Chile and No. 28 seed Brandon Nakashima of the United States earlier in the tournament.
Maiden Top 10 Victory ✅
Alexander Blockx beats Auger-Aliassime 7-6(3) 6-3 to reach back-to-back fourth rounds at Masters 1000 events! #MMOpen pic.twitter.com/ecNpxcvTFv
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 27, 2026
After going 0-2 versus Top-10 opponents, Blockx became the first Belgian man to defeat a Top-5 player on clay since David Goffin defeated No. 2 Novak Djokovic at Monte-Carlo in 2017.
Against Auger-Aliassime, Blockx was composed and gave a detailed, all-court performance that included power – he struck 17 winners – and accuracy, in which he won 35 of 42 (83 percent) of his first-serve points. Blockx saved the only break point he faced, during his first service game of the match, and outpointed the Canadian No. 1 73-57.
“I was serving amazingly from the beginning of the match,” the 6-foot-4-inch, 182-pound Blockx said during his on-court interview. “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 added: “In the first set, I was just trying to find my game. 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.”
Who saw this coming?! 👀
🇧🇪 Blockx upsets third seed Auger-Aliassime 7-6(3), 6-3 to set up a fourth-round clash with Cerúndolo in the Caja Magica.#MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/cMfHyjBeVV
— #MMOPEN (@MutuaMadridOpen) April 27, 2026
Last year, Blockx was a finalist at last year’s Next Gen ATP Finals. So far, he’s been one of three players from last year’s Next Gen ATP Finals field along with Rafael Jodar of Spain and Dino Prizmic of Croatia to earn a Top-10 triumph. Last Friday, Jodar upset World No. 8 Alex de Minaur of Australia and Prizmic eliminated World No. 6 Ben Shelton, both in the second round.
After having begun the season ranked No. 117, the former junior No. 1 Blockx has moved up to No. 53 in PIF ATP Live Rankings. On Tuesday evening, Blockx (7-3 tour-level and 24-9 in all competitions, which includes winning his fourth ATP Challenger Tour title at Canberra in January) will be back on court in the fourth round against World No. 20 and 16th seed Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina on Arantxa Sanchez Stadium. It will be their first meeting.
The young Belgian, who comes in 8-2 on clay in his last 10 clay-court matches, can move further up the ATP Live Rankings to No. 44 with another milestone victory. It’s been a dream week so far for Blockx. Can he paint another masterpiece on clay against Cerundolo? The pieces are coming together.
THE BIGGEST WIN OF HIS CAREER 💥@MutuaMadridOpen | #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/DWUW7HavJz
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 27, 2026
