{
    "title": "Blockx stuns defending champion Ruud to reach Madrid semi-finals",
    "modified_at": "2026-04-30 17:21:14",
    "published_at": "2026-04-30 17:19:00",
    "url": "https://www.belganewsagency.eu/blockx-stuns-defending-champion-ruud-to-reach-madrid-semi-finals",
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    "culture": "en_BE",
    "language": "EN",
    "slug": "blockx-stuns-defending-champion-ruud-to-reach-madrid-semi-finals",
    "body": "<p><strong>Belgium&rsquo;s rising tennis star Alexander Blockx has continued his remarkable run at the Mutua Madrid Open, beating defending champion Casper Ruud to reach the semi-finals.</strong></p><p>The 21-year-old from Antwerp, currently ranked world No. 69, won 6-4, 6-4 on clay in the Spanish capital on Thursday. It was his first-ever meeting with Ruud, a two-time French Open finalist.</p><p>Blockx took control early, breaking Ruud&rsquo;s serve in the first set and holding his nerve after being briefly pegged back. In the second set, he secured another crucial break at 3-3 and eventually sealed victory on his fourth match point.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m just happy to be here,&rdquo; said Blockx after the match. &ldquo;A semi-final is something I never even dreamed of.&rdquo;</p><div class=\"release-content-embed release-content-embed--rich release-content-embed--contained\" id=\"embed-522bd3ae-78ab-4c39-8bd7-59380f81e3e4\"><div style=\"max-width: 550px;\"><div style=\"left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 100%;\"><iframe data-iframely-url=\"https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?app=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FTennisTV%2Fstatus%2F2049830137361805591%23_cb1777565487&key=8fe6cdec03482ac31f27a6ae8ea2fb3f\" style=\"top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;\" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div><script async src=\"https://cdn.iframe.ly/embed.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script></div><p>He will now face either Italy&rsquo;s Flavio Cobolli or Germany&rsquo;s Alexander Zverev for a place in the final. On the other side of the draw, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner meets France&rsquo;s Arthur Fils.</p><p>Blockx has been the surprise package of the tournament, already knocking out top players such as Felix Auger-Aliassime and Francisco Cerundolo earlier this week.</p><p>This is the first time he has reached a Masters 1000 semi-final, one level below the Grand Slams. His strong performances will also lift him into the world&rsquo;s top 35 next week, making him Belgium&rsquo;s new No. 1 ahead of Zizou Bergs.</p><p>Blockx added that the conditions in Madrid suit his game. &ldquo;The clay feels slow, which gives me time, but the altitude makes it faster too. That combination works well for me,&rdquo; he said.</p><p>Just a year ago, Blockx was ranked outside the top 150. His rapid rise now marks him out as one of the most exciting young players on the ATP Tour.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><sup>\u200b#FlandersNewsService |</sup> <sup>&copy; Thomas COEX / AFP</sup></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>",
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    "author": {
        "first_name": "Flanders",
        "last_name": "News Service"
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