Alexander Blockx wins Australian Open junior title

Belgian Alexander Blockx (ITF 10) won the junior boys championship at the Australian Open on Saturday. In the final, 17-year-old Blockx prevailed 6-1, 2-6, 7-6 (11-9) over his American peer Learner Tien (ITF-27).

He is the third Belgian to take the overall victory at a grand slam tournament among junior boys. He is preceded only by Jacky Brichant in 1947 and Kimmer Coppejans in 2012, both on the gravel of Roland Garros.

This year's Australian Open marked the first time Blockx, born in Antwerp, reached a grand slam final. Last year, he reached the quarter-finals at the US Open. On Friday, he missed out on the doubles title in Melbourne. Sided by Brazilian Joao Fonseca, Blockx conceded the match (twice 6-4) to Learner Tien and fellow American Cooper Williams.

(BRV)

^{© PHOTO Martin KEEP / AFP}