MADRID, April 30 (Xinhua) — Alexander Blockx produced a major upset in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open by beating reigning champion Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday.
Blockx only moved into the world’s top 100 around two months ago. The 21-year-old Belgian has knocked out four seeded players in Madrid, including third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Speaking after his win, Blockx admitted he had never expected to reach his first ATP 1000 semifinal.
“To be standing here is unbelievable, I never expected this to happen,” he said. “Semifinals is something I wouldn’t have even dreamed of to begin with. I’m proud with how I’m playing the last couple of matches.”
Blockx will face second seed Alexander Zverev, who eliminated 10th-seeded Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 6-4.
In the women’s semifinals, Mirra Andreeva survived a second-set fightback from 30th seed Hailey Baptiste to win 6-4, 7-6 (8), a late birthday gift after turning 19 on Wednesday.
Andreeva broke in the seventh game of the second set on the way to a 5-3 lead, but Baptiste saved a match point on her serve and then broke back with her first break point.
Baptiste led 4-0 in the tiebreak, but Andreeva saved three set points before eventually sealing the match on her fourth match point.
Marta Kostyuk beat Anastasia Potapova 6-2, 1-6, 6-1 in the other semifinal, setting up a final clash with Andreeva on Saturday. ■
