Alexander Blockx US Open Run Ends in Quarter-Finals after the 21-year-old Belgian retired injured against Karen Khachanov on September 9, 2026. Khachanov led 6-2, 7-5, 3-2 when Blockx was unable to continue in their men’s singles quarter-final at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The result was an unfortunate conclusion to a landmark tournament for Blockx. In his first US Open main-draw appearance, he became the first Belgian man to reach the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows, producing four impressive wins and announcing himself as one of the most compelling young players in men’s tennis.
The quarter-final: Khachanov advances as Blockx retires
Karen Khachanov, an experienced Grand Slam campaigner and US Open semi-finalist in 2022, began the match strongly. He won the opening set 6-2 and edged a much tighter second set 7-5.
Blockx, who entered the match with his right thigh heavily bandaged, fought to remain competitive. However, his movement became increasingly restricted, and he also required medical attention during the contest. When Khachanov broke serve to move 3-2 ahead in the third set, Blockx made the difficult decision to retire.
The official score is recorded as 6-2, 7-5, 3-2 ret. in Khachanov’s favour.
Retirements are never the ending players or spectators want in a major quarter-final, especially when a rising player has earned such a rare opportunity. Yet the decision underlined the physical toll of Blockx’s run. His route to the last eight included demanding best-of-five-set matches, and he had already played through pain in his fourth-round victory.
For Khachanov, the retirement meant a return to the US Open semi-finals. For Blockx, it closed a fortnight that will still be viewed as a major breakthrough.
A historic US Open for Alexander Blockx
Before this tournament, Blockx had never played a US Open main draw. By the second week in New York, he had rewritten a significant piece of Belgian tennis history.
His fourth-round win over Francisco Cerundolo made him the first Belgian man to reach a US Open quarter-final. It was also his first appearance in the fourth round of any Grand Slam.
That achievement matters because Grand Slam success is not simply about one high-quality match. It requires a player to handle changing conditions, media attention, long recovery periods and opponents who become progressively tougher. Blockx did all of that effectively until injury halted his progress.
For Indian tennis followers who enjoy tracking the sport’s next generation beyond the established stars, the Belgian’s run was a useful reminder of how quickly a player can move from Challenger-level promise to relevance on the sport’s biggest stages.
Alexander Blockx’s route to the quarter-finals
Blockx’s New York campaign was built on a mix of steady early-round tennis, an important comeback and a statement victory over a top seed.
| Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| First round | Tomás Barrios Vera | Won 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 |
| Second round | Marco Trungelliti | Won 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 |
| Third round | Flavio Cobolli | Won 3-6, 6-3, 6-0, 6-3 |
| Fourth round | Francisco Cerundolo | Won 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 |
| Quarter-final | Karen Khachanov | Retired trailing 6-2, 7-5, 3-2 |
Strong start against Tomás Barrios Vera
Blockx began confidently against Chile’s Tomás Barrios Vera, winning in straight sets. The 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 scoreline gave him an efficient start and avoided the physical burden of an extended five-set opener.
That matters at the US Open, where late-summer heat, long rallies and hard-court movement can turn recovery into an important part of every player’s campaign.
Recovery against Marco Trungelliti
His second-round match against Marco Trungelliti was more demanding. Blockx won the first two sets, lost the third, then reset well to take the fourth 6-1.
The response was notable. Young players can sometimes allow a lost set to change the emotional direction of a match. Blockx instead regained control, showing the patience and concentration needed to convert a promising start into a Grand Slam win.
The Flavio Cobolli upset
The third-round victory over sixth seed Flavio Cobolli was the match that changed the scale of Blockx’s tournament. After losing the first set 6-3, he turned the match around emphatically, winning 6-3, 6-0, 6-3.
The bagel set was particularly eye-catching, but the larger takeaway was his ability to maintain attacking clarity after falling behind. Cobolli’s ranking and seeding made him the established favourite, while Blockx showed he was ready to compete with opponents who have already built stronger tour-level résumés.
The result took Blockx into the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time.
Cerundolo win seals Belgian history
Against 24th seed Francisco Cerundolo, Blockx produced arguably the defining victory of his campaign: 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5.
It was a close, high-pressure match in which the margins were extremely small. After splitting the first two sets, Blockx twice found enough composure to close late sets by the same 7-5 score.
The win came at a cost. Blockx experienced sharp rib pain early in the match and later indicated that it was severe enough for him to consider retiring. He continued, completed the upset and reached the quarter-finals, but the strain of that effort was evident by the time he faced Khachanov.
Why Blockx’s US Open run was so significant
A quarter-final is a strong Grand Slam result for any player, but Blockx’s run carried additional weight.
First, it came in his debut US Open main draw. Players often need several visits to become comfortable with the scale of a Grand Slam and the specific demands of the New York hard courts. Blockx adapted immediately.
Second, he defeated two seeded opponents in Cobolli and Cerundolo. These were not favourable results created by a draw opening up; they were earned through high-level wins.
Third, he showed different ways of winning. He controlled early matches, recovered from a lost set against Trungelliti, overturned a deficit against Cobolli and held firm in tight finishes against Cerundolo. That variety is encouraging because it suggests a player capable of adjusting rather than relying on one match pattern.
Finally, the run gives Belgian tennis a new men’s Grand Slam storyline. Blockx’s junior credentials had already generated attention, but a major quarter-final places him in a more serious senior-tour conversation.
What injury meant for the match
It would be inaccurate to reduce Khachanov’s victory entirely to injury. The Russian had earned a two-set lead and was ahead by a break in the third when the match ended. His serving, experience and ability to keep points controlled put Blockx under sustained pressure.
At the same time, Blockx was visibly limited. He was playing with a bandaged thigh, and the physical issues that emerged during his fourth-round match had not fully subsided. In a best-of-five-set quarter-final against a powerful, seasoned opponent, reduced movement leaves very little room for recovery.
The sensible reading is that Khachanov was the stronger player on the day, while Blockx’s condition prevented the contest from reaching its natural conclusion.
For Blockx, prioritising recovery was the right call. A first major quarter-final can feel impossible to surrender, but continuing through worsening injury can risk a longer absence from the tour.
What comes next for Alexander Blockx?
The immediate priority will be the medical assessment and recovery of his thigh and rib issues. The length of any break will depend on that evaluation, so it would be premature to speculate about his next tournament.
Once fit, however, Blockx will return to the tour with a different profile. He is no longer simply a talented former junior; he is a player who has reached a Grand Slam quarter-final and beaten seeded opponents on one of tennis’s largest stages.
The next phase of his development will be about consistency. Can he carry this level into Masters 1000 events? Can he manage the physical demands of a full season? Can he turn strong weeks into a stable ranking position that secures direct entries at the biggest tournaments?
Those questions remain open, but the US Open supplied a meaningful first answer: Blockx has the game and temperament to compete deep into elite events.
What Indian tennis fans should take from Blockx’s run
Indian audiences often encounter emerging European players only once they begin facing the sport’s biggest names. Blockx is worth following before that point.
His US Open campaign showed a player comfortable in extended rallies, capable of responding after setbacks and willing to attack important moments. He also demonstrated the resilience needed to move through a Grand Slam draw, even though the physical demands ultimately caught up with him.
For fans following the ATP Tour through live scores, highlights and major-tournament broadcasts, his future matches should carry greater interest. A quarter-final appearance at 21 does not guarantee a top-tier career, but it is a meaningful signal of potential.
Alexander Blockx US Open Run Ends in Quarter-Finals: Key takeaways
- Alexander Blockx retired against Karen Khachanov in the 2026 US Open quarter-finals.
- Khachanov led 6-2, 7-5, 3-2 when the Belgian stopped due to injury.
- Blockx had been dealing with a bandaged right thigh and had also suffered rib pain during the previous round.
- He became the first Belgian man to reach a US Open quarter-final.
- The run was Blockx’s first US Open main-draw appearance and his first Grand Slam fourth-round and quarter-final campaign.
- Wins over Flavio Cobolli and Francisco Cerundolo highlighted his ability to beat seeded opposition.
FAQs
Why did Alexander Blockx retire from the US Open quarter-final?
Blockx retired because of physical problems that worsened during his match against Karen Khachanov. He entered with his right thigh bandaged and had also dealt with rib pain during his fourth-round match.
What was the score when Alexander Blockx retired?
Khachanov was leading 6-2, 7-5, 3-2 when Blockx retired in the third set.
Who did Alexander Blockx beat at the 2026 US Open?
Blockx defeated Tomás Barrios Vera, Marco Trungelliti, Flavio Cobolli and Francisco Cerundolo before facing Karen Khachanov in the quarter-finals.
Was this Alexander Blockx’s best Grand Slam result?
Yes. Reaching the 2026 US Open quarter-finals was the best Grand Slam result of Blockx’s career and his first time reaching the fourth round or quarter-finals of a major.
Why was Blockx’s quarter-final run historic for Belgium?
His fourth-round win over Francisco Cerundolo made Alexander Blockx the first Belgian man to reach the US Open quarter-finals.
