Blockx first Belgian man to reach U.S. Open quarter-finals
Alexander Blockx defeated Francisco Cerundolo to become the first Belgian man to reach the U.S. Open quarter-finals. Despite suffering from rib pain, Blockx secured the victory in four sets.
Why it matters
This marks a historic milestone for Belgian tennis and highlights the emergence of a new talent in the professional circuit.
Alexander Blockx beat Francisco Cerundolo in four sets on Monday (September 7, 2026) to become the first Belgian man ever to reach the U.S. Open quarter-finals.
The 21-year-old Blockx, seeded 28th in his Flushing Meadows debut, out-lasted 24th-seeded Cerundolo 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5.
Blockx, who upset fifth-seeded Flavio Cobolli in the third round, backed up that win with a determined performance during which he received "magical medication" from the doctor to combat a "sharp pain in my rib.
"I was just holding on to be honest," Blockx said. "Even though I won that first set 6-3, it could have been the other way round."
The win marks the latest stepping stone for Blockx, who began the year outside the top 100 and had to qualify for the Australian Open.
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