Alexander Blockx first thought he could be a good pro when he won the 2023 Australian Open boys’ singles title. Three and a half years later he is seeing his dreams come true right before his eyes.
6’4” tall Blockx powered past Francisco Cerundolo on Monday, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 to reach his maiden major quarterfinal. Making his dream run more remarkable is the fact that he is making his US Open debut – and he was playing for the first time on Ashe.
Blockx who experience his breakout on tour this May in Madrid when he reached the semifinals, had to battle through a rib injury that severely limited his serve during the match. He later told reporters that he was really close to retiring but he just kept hanging in waiting for the medication he took to take hold.
It did, and he won.
“I was struggling a lot with my rib, especially while serving. It kept getting worse throughout the match,” he said.
“Eventually the doctor gave me some medication, which really helped me towards the end of the third set, where in the fourth set I could finally serve normal again how I usually serve.
“I think I got a bit lucky occasionally in some moments. Yeah, I’m just happy to get through in four sets.”
The 21-year-old became the first Belgian to reach the quarterfinals at the US Open, and the youngest Belgian to ever reach a major quarterfinal. He will face either Learner Tien or Karen Khachanov in the last eight in New York.
Blockx, who is making his fourth major main draw appearance, entered the US Open with a 1-3 record at the majors.
He has been rock solid through four rounds, defeating No.5-seeded Flavio Cobolli in four sets and putting his rare blend power and explosive movement on display.
The Belgian had filled out considerably from his junior days, and his physicality has allowed him to rise from outside the Top 100 in February to his current perch at No.26 in the live rankings.
“Back then my body was quite fragile,” Blockx, who was a No.1-ranked junior, recalls. “We tried not to overpush it too much.
“But I feel like two or three years ago, we started to really work on the physical side. Right now, I can’t complain. I feel great. I think I’m quite fast on the court and my balance is there. Now it’s just about maintaining that physique.”
Of his success today he said:
“It was unreal, to be honest,” Blockx said on court after his win. “This morning, I stepped onto this court for the first time to warm up, and that felt unreal already. So playing a match here and winning a match here is even crazier.”
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