Madrid Open 2026 Semi-Final Preview | Can Qualifier Blockx Stun Zverev? Sinner Eyes the Final

The Madrid Open 2026 semi-finals are set. Jannik Sinner survived a feisty challenge from teenage wildcard Rafael Jódar to stay on course for the title, while Caspar Ruud’s title defence ended in a 6-4, 6-4 defeat to Belgian qualifier Alexander Blockx — one of the most compelling runs the clay-court circuit has seen in years.

Arthur Fils also moved through in straight sets against Jiří Lehečka, setting up a blockbuster Friday at the Caja Mágica. On the other side of the draw, Alexander Zverev advanced to face Blockx — the story of the tournament. Full QF recap and analysis here.

Post-final update: Sinner went on to beat Alexander Zverev 6-4, 6-4 in the Madrid Open final. Read more on Sinner’s record-breaking Madrid Open final win.

ATP Quarter-Final Results

Winner	Score	Eliminated
Jannik Sinner (1)	6-2, 7-6(0)	Rafael Jódar (WC)
Arthur Fils (21)	6-3, 6-4	Jiří Lehečka (11)
Alexander Blockx (Q)	6-4, 6-4	Casper Ruud (12, defending champion)
Alexander Zverev (2)	6-1, 6-4	Flavio Cobolli (10)

The Blockx Story

Alexander Blockx arrived in Madrid as a qualifier ranked outside the top 100. He is now in the semi-finals. The 22-year-old Belgian has beaten a seeded player in every round — and his quarter-final win over defending champion Casper Ruud was no fluke. A 6-4, 6-4 scoreline that flattered nobody. Ruud, the man who lifted the trophy here twelve months ago, was beaten fairly and squarely by a player who has shown no nerves, no hesitation and no sign of slowing down.

Blockx’s path through the draw: qualifier wins, then seeded scalps in R32, R16 and now the QF. He has nothing to lose going into a semi-final against Zverev — and that is exactly what makes him dangerous.

Semi-Final 1: Jannik Sinner (1) vs Arthur Fils (21)

Sinner has not dropped a set all week. His win over Jódar was emphatic — a 7-0 tiebreak in the second set told you everything about the gap in class between the world number one at his best and a wildcard running on adrenaline and hometown noise. Sinner is the clear favourite to reach the final.

Fils’s win over Lehečka was composed and controlled — 6-3, 6-4 against one of the form players of the tournament. The Frenchman serves big and hits through the ball with pace that can cause problems on any surface. He is capable of beating anyone on a good day.

Sinner leads the head-to-head convincingly and has not looked like losing in this tournament. On current form, it is very hard to see past him reaching the final.

Our pick: Sinner in straight sets. He is the best clay-court player in the world right now and there are no signs of any weakness in his game this week.

Semi-Final 2: Alexander Zverev (2) vs Alexander Blockx (Q)

Zverev is the two-time Madrid champion and one of the best clay players on tour. He has been solid all week and has yet to drop a set, beating Cobolli 6-1, 6-4 in the quarter-finals to reach the last four. His reading of clay-court patterns — the high bounce on the red clay at Caja Mágica, the slow conditions that reward consistent groundstroke play — gives him a clear structural advantage over a player making his first ATP semi-final at this level.

But Blockx is not here by accident. His win over Ruud showed a maturity and a tactical clarity that you do not often see from a qualifier. He hit early, moved well and did not allow the defending champion to settle. If he can reproduce that against Zverev, this is absolutely a match.

Our pick: Zverev in three sets. The two-time champion has too much experience and too much firepower for Blockx at this stage — but the Belgian will push him hard.

WTA Semi-Finals

The WTA draw at Madrid is wide open. Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina have all been eliminated — leaving four players vying for their first Madrid final.

Mirra Andreeva is in the last four after beating Leylah Fernandez 7-6(1), 6-3 in the quarter-finals. She faces Hailey Baptiste — the American who eliminated Sabalenka, saving six match points in the process. On the other side: Marta Kostyuk faces Anastasia Potapova.

How to Watch the Madrid Open Semi-Finals

The ATP semi-finals take place on Friday 1 May 2026. Coverage is available on Tennis Channel (USA), Sky Sports (UK) and DAZN across Europe. Full broadcast details in our Madrid Open live stream guide.

Madrid Open 2026 Semi-Final FAQs

When are the Madrid Open 2026 semi-finals?

The ATP semi-finals are scheduled for Friday 1 May 2026 at the Caja Mágica in Madrid, Spain.

Who is in the Madrid Open semi-finals?

The four ATP semi-finalists are Jannik Sinner (1), Arthur Fils (21), Alexander Zverev (2) and qualifier Alexander Blockx.

What is the Madrid Open semi-final draw?

SF1: Sinner vs Fils. SF2: Zverev vs Blockx.

Who is Alexander Blockx?

Alexander Blockx is a 22-year-old Belgian player who entered the Madrid Open 2026 as a qualifier. He beat defending champion Caspar Ruud 6-4, 6-4 in the quarter-finals to reach the semi-finals — the biggest result of his career.

Has Sinner won the Madrid Open before?

No — Sinner has not won Madrid before. He is the world number one and the tournament favourite, but the title has eluded him here so far.

Where can I watch the Madrid Open semi-finals?

See our Madrid Open live stream guide for broadcaster details by country.

Who are the Madrid Open 2026 betting favourites?

Sinner is the outright favourite. See our Madrid Open 2026 betting tips for current odds and picks.