Blockx Breaks Through: Belgian Teen Reaches Next Gen Finals Semi-Finals in Jeddah

Blockx Clinches a Semi-Final Spot in Jeddah

Belgian 20-year-old Alexander Blockx delivered a fearless performance at the Next Gen Finals in Jeddah to lock in a semi-final berth on his tournament debut. He faced a stern test from American Nishesh Basavareddy and emerged victorious in a gripping three-set battle that carried late-pressure moments and momentum swings.

Blockx overcame Basavareddy with scores of 4-3, 4-3, 4-1, showcasing composure in decisive moments and a surge of force when it mattered most. By sealing the second set in a tiebreak and finishing strong in the third, he became the first Belgian to reach the event’s semi-finals, a historic milestone for his country.

Reflecting on the win, Blockx said he knew straight-set results were essential and watched the warm-up room scoreboard to confirm the calculations about 20 minutes before the match. He credited staying calm under pressure and stepping up his intensity in the crucial moments for the breakthrough.

Earlier in the day, another notable result came from Croatian youngster Dino Prizmic, who defeated German Justin Engel 4-1, 2-4, 4-3, 4-1, moving to 1-1 in his group and setting the stage for a potential clash with Blockx in the next round. Prizmic noted that the win was necessary to stay in contention and praised his improving form as the matches progress.

Prizmic added that the conditions in Jeddah were very fast, prompting him to focus on quicker footwork and sharper execution. He expressed optimism about performing even better in tomorrow’s session as the group takes shape.

As the day closed, the Next Gen Finals continued to deliver drama and rising-star narratives. Blockx’s run and Prizmic’s fightback underscored the depth of this emerging cohort, promising an exciting conclusion to the event. Punchline time: Blockx is turning every rally into a mini-masterclass—and the rest of the field better bring their A-game, or risk becoming mere footnotes in his highlight reel. Sniper’s parting shot: if Blockx keeps this up, even his serves will start charging admission for the show. Another one: in this field, a wrist snap is more important than a pre-match briefing.”