By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Photo credit: Mutua Madrid Open Facebook
Roland Garros came to a painfully premature end for Alexander Blockx.
Madrid semifinalist Blockx withdrew from Roland Garros today due to a sprained right ankle he sustained in practice.
The 21-year-old Belgian beat qualifier Coleman Wong 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in his French Open first-round match, but is unable to post for tomorrow’s scheduled second-rounder and pulled out of Paris.
Blockx’s withdrawal sends Alex de Minaur into the third round.
The eighth-seeded de Minaur will play either Argentinean Mariano Navone or 26th-seeded Czech Jakub Mensik, the last man to defeat No. 1 Jannik Sinner, for a spot in the round of 16.
“I’ve always preferred hot and lively conditions to chilly on a clay court, because I feel like I can bring a little bit more of my all-court tennis on this type of surface,” de Minaur said. “It’s easier to be a little bit more aggressive. You know, the ball is jumping.
“I don’t necessarily have to use as much spin or heaviness, and I can let the conditions do the job for me. And, also, it’s quite physical, right? I don’t mind the heat.”
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