2026 Madrid Open

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Casper Ruud vs Alexander Blockx Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Ruud continues Madrid title defence in quarter-finals

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Thu 30 Apr 2026 00:49

Andrew Hendrie 30 Apr 2026

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Casper Ruud vs Alexander Blockx predictions for Thursday's ATP Madrid quarter-final
Ruud on a nine-match winning streak in Madrid, with 15 of 19 matches ending in straight sets
Blockx rising swiftly through the ranks - all five previous meetings with top 20 ended in straights
The match is scheduled to start at 9.00pm AEST on Thursday April 30

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Casper Ruud (Photo by Getty Images)

Casper Ruud vs Alexander Blockx Tips, Prediction & Live Stream

Defending champion Casper Ruud targets a third Madrid Masters semi-final when he comes up against the rising Alexander Blockx in the quarter-finals on Thursday.

Casper Ruud vs Alexander Blockx Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Ruud vs Blockx Stats & Trends
Ruud vs Blockx Head To Head
Casper Ruud Form Analysis
Alexander Blockx Form Analysis
Ruud vs Blockx Live Stream

It's been a relatively quiet year for Ruud, but something about the Spanish capital always brings out the best in him and he's positioned strongly to continue his Madrid Masters title defence here. The Norwegian has looked in superb form so far this tournament, absolutely crushing Jaume Munar and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina before saving two match points against a resurgent Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Meanwhile, Blockx continues to impress and has cracked the top 50 in the live ATP rankings, with the 21-year-old earning some more big scalps over the likes of Felix Auger-Aliassime and Francesco Cerundolo this tournament.

The Belgian is rising quickly and a top 30 spot over the next couple of months beckons. However, I have to side with Ruud here - he's a different beast on the Madrid clay and more often than not, his matches at this tournament are ending in straight sets. All of Blockx's five previous matches against top 20 players have also ended in straights - with the last four featuring 1+ tiebreak. Ruud to win in straights with a breaker are the two plays for this one.

Ruud vs Blockx Stats & Trends

Ruud has won his last nine matches in Madrid
Ruud has seen straight sets in 15 of his 19 Madrid matches
Blockx has seen straight sets in all five previous meetings vs top 20 players
Blockx has seen 1+ tiebreak in his last four matches vs top 20 players
Ruud played three tiebreaks vs Tsitsipas in his last outing
Four of Ruud's last five wins have come in straight sets
Ruud is 9-5 in Masters 1000 quarter-finals, with all five defeats coming vs top 20 players

Ruud vs Blockx Head To Head

This will be the first career meeting between the pair.

Casper Ruud Form Analysis

2026 Record: 12-8
ATP Madrid Record: 15-4
Current Ranking: No. 15
Career-High Ranking: No. 2 (2022)

I still think it's crazy to think that Ruud was two sets away from becoming the World No. 1 and US Open champion back in 2022, but the Norwegian is starting to find that sort of level again.

It's safe to say that tennis probably hasn't been at the forefront of Ruud's mind to begin the year after the birth of his first child.

Ruud was also forced to retire with injury in Monte Carlo, so you could say his season is sort of starting now in Madrid.

After claiming his first Masters 1000 title in the Spanish capital last year, Ruud has picked up where he left off, returning to the quarter-finals.

Ruud demolished Jaume Munar (6-0 6-1) and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (6-3 6-1) before saving a pair of match points at 3-5 down in the deciding set to edge out Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7(4) 7-6(2) 7-6(3).

"I was on the brink of being on the way home already," Ruud said post-match. "Just really happy and proud of the way I fought back."

Alexander Blockx Form Analysis

2026 Record: 8-3
ATP Madrid Record: 4-0
Current Ranking: No. 69
Career-High Ranking: No. 69 (April 2026)

Blockx is swiftly making a name for himself and has quietly put together an impressive 8-3 record at tour-level for the year.

After paving his way on the Challenger circuit, Blockx has made a seamless transition to the ATP Tour and with this run to a first Masters 1000 quarter-final in Madrid, he will break into the world's top 50 in the next rankings update.

The 21-year-old has been building nicely this clay swing, qualifying and making the R16 of Monte Carlo before also reaching the R16 in Munich.

Blockx has gone to another level in Madrid, toppling Cristian Garin and Brandon Nakashima in three sets before eye-catching straight sets victories over Felix Auger-Aliassime and Francisco Cerundolo, improving his record against the top 20 to 3-2.

Ruud vs Blockx Live Stream

Watch and bet on Casper Ruud vs Alexander Blockx live tennis from Madrid.

You can watch and bet on the match live at Unibet > Tennis > ATP Madrid with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.

Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access. 18+ terms and conditions apply.

Verdict

Casper Ruud v Alexander Blockx

Ruud is tipped for a straight sets win, while at least one tiebreak is also backed in this Madrid quarter-final.

Ruud 2-0

Set Betting

$1.88 - 2 Units

Challenger 'NextBet' is here

18+. T&Cs apply

Bet at NextBet

Over 0.5

Total Tiebreaks

$2.08 - 1 Unit

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