Blockx first Belgian man to reach US Open quarter-finals

Belgian tennis player Alexander Blockx made history on Monday by becoming the first Belgian to reach the US Open quarter-finals. The 21-year-old, seeded 28th in his debut at Flushing Meadows, defeated 24th-seeded Argentine Francisco Cerundolo in a grueling four-set match, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5.

Blockx, who began the year outside the top 100 and had to qualify for the Australian Open, overcame a sharp rib pain during the match by receiving "magical medication" from a doctor. Despite losing the first set 6-3, he held his composure and fought back to win the following sets. A tight fourth set saw Blockx gain a crucial break in the final game, celebrating his victory with a dramatic leap onto the court.

This triumph marks a significant milestone in Blockx's career, showcasing his growth from a player outside the top 100 to a quarter-finalist at a major tournament. After securing the win, Blockx expressed his amazement at playing and winning on this prestigious court, stating, "This morning I stepped onto this court for the first time to warm up and that felt unreal, so to play a match here and win a match here is even crazier."

His next opponent will be the victor between unseeded Russian Karen Khachanov and 14th-seeded American Learner Tien.