{
  "id": 6192383,
  "title": "Blockx first Belgian man to reach US Open quarter-finals",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/blockx-first-belgian-man-to-reach-us-open-quarter-finals-6192383",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-07T22:45:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/09/08/blockx-first-belgian-man-to-reach-us-open-quarter-finals"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nBlockx, 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.\n\nThis 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.",
  "summary": "Alexander Blockx follows his upset of fifth-seeded Flavio Cobolli by defeating Francisco Cerundolo 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Blockx first Belgian man to reach US Open quarter-finals",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/blockx-first-belgian-man-to-reach-us-open-quarter-finals",
        "published": "2026-09-07T22:45:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}