In pain but through: Blockx beats Cerundolo to become first Belgian man in US Open last eight

New York, September 8 - Alexander Blockx, the 21-year-old Belgian tennis player, secured a historic victory by defeating Francisco Cerundolo in four sets to advance to the US Open quarter-finals. Blockx, seeded 28th, outplayed the 24th-seeded Cerundolo with a score of 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5. The young tennis star faced challenges during the match, including a sharp pain in his rib, which he managed to overcome with the help of medication.

Blockx admitted that he could have retired if he had lost the third set, but he was determined to carry on. He expressed his gratitude for his medication, stating that the pain was quite severe despite his intake of medication. The Belgian tennis player's win marks a significant milestone in his career, as he began the year outside the top 100 and had to qualify for the Australian Open.

After a strong start, Blockx and Cerundolo were tied at 5-5 when the Belgian faltered at 0-40 on his serve. Blockx regained his composure with powerful serves and aggressive shots, eventually clinching the third set. The final game of the fourth set was intense, with Blockx breaking Cerundolo's serve in the last moment. Blockx's victory leads him to face Russian Karen Khachanov in the next round, who beat 14th-seeded American Learner Tien in a five-set match.

Khachanov had previously advanced past Felix Auger-Aliassime, a third-seeded player, in the second round.