Blockx Stuns Ruud in Madrid: First Masters 1000 Semifinal

Alexander Blockx defeated Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the Mutua Madrid Open, knocking out the defending champion and reaching the first Masters 1000 semifinal of his career.

The 21-year-old Belgian arrived in Madrid as world number 69, his best ever ranking. In the draw he has already taken down Felix Auger-Aliassime and Francisco Cerundolo, and now Ruud as well, the number 12 seed and ATP number 15. He is the first Belgian to reach the quarterfinals in Madrid since David Goffin in 2017, and now the first to push one round further.

What stands out is how he did it. Blockx held the initiative from the baseline, dictated rallies with his forehand, and never let Ruud build the marathon exchanges that are his preferred territory on clay. Two sets closed out 6-4 in linear fashion, decided on the narrow margins that on clay usually reward the Norwegian, and that this time rewarded him instead.

In Friday's semifinal, Alexander Zverev awaits him, a two-time champion in Madrid. A week ago Blockx was a name that circulated mainly among insiders for his Junior title at the 2023 Australian Open. Now he is one of the four men still alive in a Masters 1000.