Madrid
\n Blockx sinks Auger-Aliassime in Madrid: ‘I had so much confidence’<\/p>\n
Belgian sets fourth-round meeting with Cerundolo at clay ATP Masters 1000 event<\/p>\n
April 27, 2026<\/p>\n
Mutua Madrid Open<\/p>\n
Alexander Blockx in action against Felix Auger-Aliassime on Monday in Madrid.
\n By Jerome Coombe<\/p>\n
Alexander Blockx<\/a> continued his rapid rise on European clay on Monday at the Mutua Madrid Open<\/a>, where he stunned World No. 5 Felix Auger-Aliassime<\/a> to advance to the fourth round of the ATP Masters 1000 event.<\/p>\n The 20-year-old Belgian produced a composed, all-court performance in the Spanish capital to prevail 7-6(3), 6-3 and record his first win over a Top-10 opponent. Blockx, who also reached the last 16 in Monte-Carlo earlier this month, is this week up 16 spots to No. 53 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, having begun the season as the World No. 117.<\/p>\n THE BIGGEST WIN OF HIS CAREER \ud83d\udca5@MutuaMadridOpen<\/a> | #MMOPEN<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/DWUW7HavJz<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 ATP Tour (@atptour) April 27, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n \u201cI was serving amazing from the beginning of the match,\u201d said Blockx, who saved the only break point he faced, according to Infosys ATP Stats. \u201cI had so much confidence. I didn\u2019t 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Blockx, who reached the final on debut at last year\u2019s Next Gen ATP Finals, is one of three players from the 2025 edition of the 20-and-under event to record a first Top 10 win this week in Madrid. Spain\u2019s Rafael Jodar<\/a> defeated Alex de Minaur<\/a>, while Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic<\/a> edged Ben Shelton<\/a>.<\/p>\n Facing Auger-Aliassime for the first time in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, Blockx proved clinical across the board, combining sharp baseline play with efficient serving. The 20-year-old will next take on 16th seed Francisco Cerundolo<\/a>, who earlier eased past Luciano Darderi<\/a> 6-2, 6-3.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the first set, I was just trying to find my game, ” Blockx added. \u201cOn 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.\u201d<\/p>\n