Blockx holds firm to topple Auger-Aliassime in Madrid
The Belgian mixed deep crosscourt pressure with unflinching serving to claim his maiden top-ten win and keep climbing at the Mutua Madrid Open.
Alexander Blockx continued his rapid rise on European clay on Monday at the Mutua Madrid Open, where he stunned World No. 5 Felix Auger-Aliassime to advance to the fourth round of the ATP Masters 1000 event. The 20-year-old Belgian arrived with lessons from Monte-Carlo and turned them into a composed display that blended heavy topspin crosscourt drives with sharp inside-out forehands.
Quiet resolve on the biggest stage
From the opening service game Blockx mixed flat first serves with heavy kick on seconds, denying Felix Auger-Aliassime any rhythm on returns. He faced only one break point and saved it with a precise down-the-line backhand that clipped the outside line. That moment set the tone for a 7-6(3), 6-3 victory built on patience rather than raw pace.
The slower red dirt robbed the world No. 5 of his preferred short-ball attack, so the Belgian answered with inside-in patterns that left the Canadian scrambling. Blockx later reflected on the mental shift that allowed him to stay present.
“I was serving amazing from the beginning of the match. I had so much confidence. I didn’t even think about panicking or losing my serve.”
THE BIGGEST WIN OF HIS CAREER @MutuaMadridOpen | #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/DWUW7HavJz
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 27, 2026
Clay adjustments unlock top ten breakthrough
In the second set Blockx tightened his one-two combinations, following big serves with aggressive inside-in forehands that forced errors from Felix Auger-Aliassime’s usually reliable forehand. He broke early and closed 6-3 to record his first win over a Top-10 opponent. The result lifted him 16 spots to No. 53 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings after starting the season at No. 117.
Three members of the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals cohort posted maiden Top-10 victories this week in Madrid. Spain’s Rafael Jodar defeated Alex de Minaur while Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic edged Ben Shelton. Blockx watched those results as quiet motivation, using them to reinforce the value of staying inside his patterns instead of forcing outcomes.
Next challenge awaits on familiar dirt
The 20-year-old will next take on 16th seed Francisco Cerundolo, who earlier eased past Luciano Darderi 6-2, 6-3. Cerundolo’s own clay-court rhythm will test whether Blockx can maintain the same clarity of thought that carried him past a higher-ranked opponent. For now the Belgian appears content to let each round answer the next question about his readiness for sustained elite competition.
