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Deadspin | Big first inning helps Astros salvages doubleheader split vs. Orioles Apr 30, 2026; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Astros outfield Yordan Alvarez (44) celebrates his home run in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles with infielder Christian Walker (8) at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images Cam Smith hit a three-run home run in Houston’s five-run first inning and the Astros salvaged a split of Thursday’s doubleheader by winning 11-5 in the second game against the host Baltimore Orioles. Yordan Alvarez drilled his 12th homer among his three hits and three runs scored, Dustin Harris drove in three runs and Yainer Diaz collected three hits as the Astros avoided being swept in the three-game series. Isaac Paredes had two hits and scored two runs, and Christian Walker tacked on two hits. Houston won for the first time in starter Lance McCullers Jr.’s five April starts. McCullers (2-2) held the Orioles to three runs on two hits with nine strikeouts and four walks across six innings before three relievers finished with one inning apiece. Baltimore won 10-3 in the first game with grand slams from Adley Rutschman and Jeremiah Jackson, but that production wasn’t repeated. They had six hits, including a two-run triple from Leody Taveras and RBI doubles from Pete Alonso and Gunnar Henderson, in Thursday’s second game. After winning his first two starts this season, Orioles right-hander Brandon Young (2-1) was dinged for 10 runs (seven earned) on 10 hits in four innings. Every batter in Houston’s lineup had at least one hit by the fifth inning, finishing with 15 hits. The Astros, who won for only the fourth time in 16 road games, got off to a better start in the second game with Harris’ two-out, two-run single in the first inning followed two batters later by Smith’s three-run blast. It was Smith’s fourth homer of the season. Houston pushed its lead to 6-0 in the second inning on Alvarez’s solo homer with one out. The Orioles closed within 11-4 with a run in the seventh inning but they left the bases loaded on their way to falling to 9-9 in home games this year. They added a run in the ninth on Coby Mayo’s sacrifice fly. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Big #inning #helps #Astros #salvages #doubleheader #split #Orioles

Deadspin | Big first inning helps Astros salvages doubleheader split vs. Orioles
Deadspin | Big first inning helps Astros salvages doubleheader split vs. Orioles Apr 30, 2026; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Astros outfield Yordan Alvarez (44) celebrates his home run in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles with infielder Christian Walker (8) at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images Cam Smith hit a three-run home run in Houston’s five-run first inning and the Astros salvaged a split of Thursday’s doubleheader by winning 11-5 in the second game against the host Baltimore Orioles. Yordan Alvarez drilled his 12th homer among his three hits and three runs scored, Dustin Harris drove in three runs and Yainer Diaz collected three hits as the Astros avoided being swept in the three-game series. Isaac Paredes had two hits and scored two runs, and Christian Walker tacked on two hits. Houston won for the first time in starter Lance McCullers Jr.’s five April starts. McCullers (2-2) held the Orioles to three runs on two hits with nine strikeouts and four walks across six innings before three relievers finished with one inning apiece. Baltimore won 10-3 in the first game with grand slams from Adley Rutschman and Jeremiah Jackson, but that production wasn’t repeated. They had six hits, including a two-run triple from Leody Taveras and RBI doubles from Pete Alonso and Gunnar Henderson, in Thursday’s second game. After winning his first two starts this season, Orioles right-hander Brandon Young (2-1) was dinged for 10 runs (seven earned) on 10 hits in four innings. Every batter in Houston’s lineup had at least one hit by the fifth inning, finishing with 15 hits. The Astros, who won for only the fourth time in 16 road games, got off to a better start in the second game with Harris’ two-out, two-run single in the first inning followed two batters later by Smith’s three-run blast. It was Smith’s fourth homer of the season. Houston pushed its lead to 6-0 in the second inning on Alvarez’s solo homer with one out. The Orioles closed within 11-4 with a run in the seventh inning but they left the bases loaded on their way to falling to 9-9 in home games this year. They added a run in the ninth on Coby Mayo’s sacrifice fly. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Big #inning #helps #Astros #salvages #doubleheader #split #OriolesApr 30, 2026; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Astros outfield Yordan Alvarez (44) celebrates his home run in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles with infielder Christian Walker (8) at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images

Cam Smith hit a three-run home run in Houston’s five-run first inning and the Astros salvaged a split of Thursday’s doubleheader by winning 11-5 in the second game against the host Baltimore Orioles.

Yordan Alvarez drilled his 12th homer among his three hits and three runs scored, Dustin Harris drove in three runs and Yainer Diaz collected three hits as the Astros avoided being swept in the three-game series. Isaac Paredes had two hits and scored two runs, and Christian Walker tacked on two hits.

Houston won for the first time in starter Lance McCullers Jr.’s five April starts. McCullers (2-2) held the Orioles to three runs on two hits with nine strikeouts and four walks across six innings before three relievers finished with one inning apiece.

Baltimore won 10-3 in the first game with grand slams from Adley Rutschman and Jeremiah Jackson, but that production wasn’t repeated. They had six hits, including a two-run triple from Leody Taveras and RBI doubles from Pete Alonso and Gunnar Henderson, in Thursday’s second game.


After winning his first two starts this season, Orioles right-hander Brandon Young (2-1) was dinged for 10 runs (seven earned) on 10 hits in four innings.

Every batter in Houston’s lineup had at least one hit by the fifth inning, finishing with 15 hits.

The Astros, who won for only the fourth time in 16 road games, got off to a better start in the second game with Harris’ two-out, two-run single in the first inning followed two batters later by Smith’s three-run blast. It was Smith’s fourth homer of the season.

Houston pushed its lead to 6-0 in the second inning on Alvarez’s solo homer with one out.

The Orioles closed within 11-4 with a run in the seventh inning but they left the bases loaded on their way to falling to 9-9 in home games this year. They added a run in the ninth on Coby Mayo’s sacrifice fly.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Big #inning #helps #Astros #salvages #doubleheader #split #Orioles

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Apr 30, 2026; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Astros outfield Yordan Alvarez (44) celebrates his home run in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles with infielder Christian Walker (8) at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images

Cam Smith hit a three-run home run in Houston’s five-run first inning and the Astros salvaged a split of Thursday’s doubleheader by winning 11-5 in the second game against the host Baltimore Orioles.

Yordan Alvarez drilled his 12th homer among his three hits and three runs scored, Dustin Harris drove in three runs and Yainer Diaz collected three hits as the Astros avoided being swept in the three-game series. Isaac Paredes had two hits and scored two runs, and Christian Walker tacked on two hits.

Houston won for the first time in starter Lance McCullers Jr.’s five April starts. McCullers (2-2) held the Orioles to three runs on two hits with nine strikeouts and four walks across six innings before three relievers finished with one inning apiece.

Baltimore won 10-3 in the first game with grand slams from Adley Rutschman and Jeremiah Jackson, but that production wasn’t repeated. They had six hits, including a two-run triple from Leody Taveras and RBI doubles from Pete Alonso and Gunnar Henderson, in Thursday’s second game.

After winning his first two starts this season, Orioles right-hander Brandon Young (2-1) was dinged for 10 runs (seven earned) on 10 hits in four innings.

Every batter in Houston’s lineup had at least one hit by the fifth inning, finishing with 15 hits.

The Astros, who won for only the fourth time in 16 road games, got off to a better start in the second game with Harris’ two-out, two-run single in the first inning followed two batters later by Smith’s three-run blast. It was Smith’s fourth homer of the season.

Houston pushed its lead to 6-0 in the second inning on Alvarez’s solo homer with one out.

The Orioles closed within 11-4 with a run in the seventh inning but they left the bases loaded on their way to falling to 9-9 in home games this year. They added a run in the ninth on Coby Mayo’s sacrifice fly.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr seeks first homer, wins in series vs. White Sox Apr 28, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres second baseman Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) reacts after a ball call during the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images It’s safe to say that no one had San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. getting to May 1 without a homer on his stat sheet. But that’s the case as Tatis and San Diego gear up for the first game on Friday of a three-game weekend series against the visiting Chicago White Sox. It would be ironic if Tatis finally went deep against the organization that originally found him before trading him in June 2016 for the veteran right-hander James Shields, a one-time All-Star who went 4-12 that season with Chicago and 16-35 there to close out his career. Since making his major league debut with the Padres in 2019, Tatis has slugged 152 homers, winning a home run title with 42 in 2021. The three-time All-Star has swiped 132 bases, including a career-high 32 last year, and has become a platinum Gold Glove right fielder after starting his career as a plus defender at shortstop. However, he’s yet to perform his patented home run trot this year, even though his recent swings — he’s swatted a spate of balls well over 100 mph — suggest he might find the bleachers sooner instead of later. “I’m doing everything — hitting early, doing batting practice, after (games),” Tatis said. “It still doesn’t turn around. I don’t know … trying to figure it out.” Tatis is batting .250 with 13 RBI and eight steals in 10 attempts. He’s one of a handful of San Diego hitters still looking for their best form. Center fielder Jackson Merrill, a career .271 hitter, is down to .200 this season after managing only one hit in the team’s series loss to the Chicago Cubs. Second baseman Jake Cronenworth, a career .244 hitter, is batting a shocking .146. But the team has pitched well enough, including Friday night’s starter, right-hander German Marquez (3-1, 4.38 ERA). He’s coming off a 6-4 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday in Mexico City, allowing four runs on six hits over six innings with a walk and two strikeouts. Marquez is 1-2 with a 4.74 ERA in three career starts against the White Sox. Noah Schultz (1-1, 3.52) takes the ball for Chicago. The rookie lefty last worked on Saturday, fanning eight and permitting just four hits and two runs over six innings while walking four in a no-decision against Washington. The 6-foot-10, 240-pound Schultz has allowed only eight hits in 15 1/3 innings and fanned 18 but walked nine. Schultz is one reason why the White Sox are finally trending in the right direction after three long years. Chicago polished off a three-game home sweep of the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday with a 3-2, 10-inning win on Colson Montgomery’s game-winning single. The White Sox finished April at 13-13, their first full month of .500 baseball since June 2023 (13-13). The 2026 run included a sweep of defending American League champion Toronto and a series win at Arizona. “After a tough first couple of series, it feels like we’ve found different ways to win some of these close ballgames that maybe last year we wouldn’t have won,” said second-year manager Will Venable. “They’re coming to the ballpark focused and energized.” The addition of rookie third baseman Munetaka Murakami from Japan has given the team a hammer in the middle of the order. Murakami is batting only .236 but has belted 12 homers to tie Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees for the MLB lead. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Padres #Fernando #Tatis #seeks #homer #wins #series #White #SoxApr 28, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres second baseman Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) reacts after a ball call during the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images

It’s safe to say that no one had San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. getting to May 1 without a homer on his stat sheet.

But that’s the case as Tatis and San Diego gear up for the first game on Friday of a three-game weekend series against the visiting Chicago White Sox.

It would be ironic if Tatis finally went deep against the organization that originally found him before trading him in June 2016 for the veteran right-hander James Shields, a one-time All-Star who went 4-12 that season with Chicago and 16-35 there to close out his career.

Since making his major league debut with the Padres in 2019, Tatis has slugged 152 homers, winning a home run title with 42 in 2021. The three-time All-Star has swiped 132 bases, including a career-high 32 last year, and has become a platinum Gold Glove right fielder after starting his career as a plus defender at shortstop.

However, he’s yet to perform his patented home run trot this year, even though his recent swings — he’s swatted a spate of balls well over 100 mph — suggest he might find the bleachers sooner instead of later.

“I’m doing everything — hitting early, doing batting practice, after (games),” Tatis said. “It still doesn’t turn around. I don’t know … trying to figure it out.”

Tatis is batting .250 with 13 RBI and eight steals in 10 attempts. He’s one of a handful of San Diego hitters still looking for their best form. Center fielder Jackson Merrill, a career .271 hitter, is down to .200 this season after managing only one hit in the team’s series loss to the Chicago Cubs. Second baseman Jake Cronenworth, a career .244 hitter, is batting a shocking .146.


But the team has pitched well enough, including Friday night’s starter, right-hander German Marquez (3-1, 4.38 ERA). He’s coming off a 6-4 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday in Mexico City, allowing four runs on six hits over six innings with a walk and two strikeouts.

Marquez is 1-2 with a 4.74 ERA in three career starts against the White Sox.

Noah Schultz (1-1, 3.52) takes the ball for Chicago. The rookie lefty last worked on Saturday, fanning eight and permitting just four hits and two runs over six innings while walking four in a no-decision against Washington. The 6-foot-10, 240-pound Schultz has allowed only eight hits in 15 1/3 innings and fanned 18 but walked nine.

Schultz is one reason why the White Sox are finally trending in the right direction after three long years. Chicago polished off a three-game home sweep of the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday with a 3-2, 10-inning win on Colson Montgomery’s game-winning single.

The White Sox finished April at 13-13, their first full month of .500 baseball since June 2023 (13-13). The 2026 run included a sweep of defending American League champion Toronto and a series win at Arizona.

“After a tough first couple of series, it feels like we’ve found different ways to win some of these close ballgames that maybe last year we wouldn’t have won,” said second-year manager Will Venable. “They’re coming to the ballpark focused and energized.”

The addition of rookie third baseman Munetaka Murakami from Japan has given the team a hammer in the middle of the order. Murakami is batting only .236 but has belted 12 homers to tie Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees for the MLB lead.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Padres #Fernando #Tatis #seeks #homer #wins #series #White #Sox">Deadspin | Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr seeks first homer, wins in series vs. White Sox Apr 28, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres second baseman Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) reacts after a ball call during the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images It’s safe to say that no one had San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. getting to May 1 without a homer on his stat sheet. But that’s the case as Tatis and San Diego gear up for the first game on Friday of a three-game weekend series against the visiting Chicago White Sox. It would be ironic if Tatis finally went deep against the organization that originally found him before trading him in June 2016 for the veteran right-hander James Shields, a one-time All-Star who went 4-12 that season with Chicago and 16-35 there to close out his career. Since making his major league debut with the Padres in 2019, Tatis has slugged 152 homers, winning a home run title with 42 in 2021. The three-time All-Star has swiped 132 bases, including a career-high 32 last year, and has become a platinum Gold Glove right fielder after starting his career as a plus defender at shortstop. However, he’s yet to perform his patented home run trot this year, even though his recent swings — he’s swatted a spate of balls well over 100 mph — suggest he might find the bleachers sooner instead of later. “I’m doing everything — hitting early, doing batting practice, after (games),” Tatis said. “It still doesn’t turn around. I don’t know … trying to figure it out.” Tatis is batting .250 with 13 RBI and eight steals in 10 attempts. He’s one of a handful of San Diego hitters still looking for their best form. Center fielder Jackson Merrill, a career .271 hitter, is down to .200 this season after managing only one hit in the team’s series loss to the Chicago Cubs. Second baseman Jake Cronenworth, a career .244 hitter, is batting a shocking .146. But the team has pitched well enough, including Friday night’s starter, right-hander German Marquez (3-1, 4.38 ERA). He’s coming off a 6-4 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday in Mexico City, allowing four runs on six hits over six innings with a walk and two strikeouts. Marquez is 1-2 with a 4.74 ERA in three career starts against the White Sox. Noah Schultz (1-1, 3.52) takes the ball for Chicago. The rookie lefty last worked on Saturday, fanning eight and permitting just four hits and two runs over six innings while walking four in a no-decision against Washington. The 6-foot-10, 240-pound Schultz has allowed only eight hits in 15 1/3 innings and fanned 18 but walked nine. Schultz is one reason why the White Sox are finally trending in the right direction after three long years. Chicago polished off a three-game home sweep of the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday with a 3-2, 10-inning win on Colson Montgomery’s game-winning single. The White Sox finished April at 13-13, their first full month of .500 baseball since June 2023 (13-13). The 2026 run included a sweep of defending American League champion Toronto and a series win at Arizona. “After a tough first couple of series, it feels like we’ve found different ways to win some of these close ballgames that maybe last year we wouldn’t have won,” said second-year manager Will Venable. “They’re coming to the ballpark focused and energized.” The addition of rookie third baseman Munetaka Murakami from Japan has given the team a hammer in the middle of the order. Murakami is batting only .236 but has belted 12 homers to tie Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees for the MLB lead. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Padres #Fernando #Tatis #seeks #homer #wins #series #White #Sox

Olympic bronze medallist pole vaulter Alysha Newman has been suspended for 20 months for whereabouts failures in relation to anti-doping testing, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced on Friday.

“The AIU has banned Alysha Newman (Canada) for 20 months from 3 December 2025 for Whereabouts Failures. DQ results from 23 August 2025,” the anti-doping body posted on social media.

ALSO READ | Thompson-Herah happy to be back in competition after missing Paris 2024 due to injury

The 31-year-old Canadian, who won bronze in the pole vault at the Paris Games, had been provisionally suspended on February 3 for three whereabouts failures over 12 months – on February 27, 2025 and on August 17 and 23 of the same year.

She has not competed since the Diamond League meeting in Rabat last May.

Published on May 01, 2026

#Olympic #bronze #medallist #Alysha #Newman #suspended #missing #doping #tests">Olympic bronze medallist Alysha Newman suspended for missing doping tests Olympic bronze medallist pole vaulter Alysha Newman has been suspended for 20 months for whereabouts failures in relation to anti-doping testing, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced on Friday.“The AIU has banned Alysha Newman (Canada) for 20 months from 3 December 2025 for Whereabouts Failures. DQ results from 23 August 2025,” the anti-doping body posted on social media.ALSO READ | Thompson-Herah happy to be back in competition after missing Paris 2024 due to injuryThe 31-year-old Canadian, who won bronze in the pole vault at the Paris Games, had been provisionally suspended on February 3 for three whereabouts failures over 12 months – on February 27, 2025 and on August 17 and 23 of the same year.She has not competed since the Diamond League meeting in Rabat last May.Published on May 01, 2026 #Olympic #bronze #medallist #Alysha #Newman #suspended #missing #doping #tests

Thompson-Herah happy to be back in competition after missing Paris 2024 due to injury

The 31-year-old Canadian, who won bronze in the pole vault at the Paris Games, had been provisionally suspended on February 3 for three whereabouts failures over 12 months – on February 27, 2025 and on August 17 and 23 of the same year.

She has not competed since the Diamond League meeting in Rabat last May.

Published on May 01, 2026

#Olympic #bronze #medallist #Alysha #Newman #suspended #missing #doping #tests">Olympic bronze medallist Alysha Newman suspended for missing doping tests

Olympic bronze medallist pole vaulter Alysha Newman has been suspended for 20 months for whereabouts failures in relation to anti-doping testing, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced on Friday.

“The AIU has banned Alysha Newman (Canada) for 20 months from 3 December 2025 for Whereabouts Failures. DQ results from 23 August 2025,” the anti-doping body posted on social media.

ALSO READ | Thompson-Herah happy to be back in competition after missing Paris 2024 due to injury

The 31-year-old Canadian, who won bronze in the pole vault at the Paris Games, had been provisionally suspended on February 3 for three whereabouts failures over 12 months – on February 27, 2025 and on August 17 and 23 of the same year.

She has not competed since the Diamond League meeting in Rabat last May.

Published on May 01, 2026

#Olympic #bronze #medallist #Alysha #Newman #suspended #missing #doping #tests
Deadspin | Alexander Blockx stuns Casper Ruud to reach Madrid semis Mar 2, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Alexander Blockx (BEL) hits a shot during his qualifying match against Martin Landaluce (ESP) during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Alexander Blockx won 84.8% (28 of 33) of his first-serve points and stormed his way to a 6-4, 6-4 upset of defending champion Casper Ruud on Thursday to reach the semifinals of the Madrid Open. Blockx, 21, from Belgium, needed just 96 minutes to dispose of Ruud, the No. 12 seed from Norway. Ranked No. 69 in the world, Blockx is the fourth-lowest ranked player to reach the semis in Madrid. “To be honest, I’m just happy with being here,” said Blockx, who upset No. 3 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada and No. 16 Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina earlier in the tournament. “Even winning my first match here. I barely escaped in the first round, and I was happy about that already. Semifinals is something I wouldn’t have even dreamed of to begin with. Blockx will face No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev of Germany in a semifinal on Friday. Zverev defeated No. 10 Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 6-4 in his quarterfinal match. Blockx said the clay surface is challenging but also very much to his liking. “I’m proud of how I’ve played these past couple of matches,” Blockx said. I think the conditions suit me well here. I feel like it’s clay which is slow, so I have time to settle and hit my shots, go for my shots. At the same time, it’s quite fast with the altitude and the heat sometimes. I think it’s the perfect combination for me.” Both players scored 19 winners, but Blocks had just 16 errors, seven fewer than Ruud. Meanwhile, Zverev outpowered Cobolli with a 12-1 edge in aces and by winning 82.1% (32 of 39) of his first-serve points while prevailing in 90 minutes. Zverev also had a 23-11 advantage in winners while earning his 179th career clay-court victory, most among Germans in the Open Era. He broke a tie with Philipp Kohlschreiber. Zverev, a two-time Madrid champion (2018, 2021), lost to Cobolli in straight sets on April 18 in the Munich semis. Cobolli lost to Ben Shelton in the final of that event. The rematch unfolded a lot differently on Thursday. “No revenge. I love Flavio. He’s one of my favorite guys on Tour,” Zverev said. “I have a great relationship with him and a great relationship with his father. This is sport. … Sports can change very quickly. In Munich, he played an amazing match and I didn’t play a very good match. Today, it was maybe the opposite.” Cobolli saved 8 of 11 break points but committed four double faults. Top-seeded Jannik Sinner of Italy and No. 21 Arthur Fils of France square off in the other semifinal. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Alexander #Blockx #stuns #Casper #Ruud #reach #Madrid #semisMar 2, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Alexander Blockx (BEL) hits a shot during his qualifying match against Martin Landaluce (ESP) during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Alexander Blockx won 84.8% (28 of 33) of his first-serve points and stormed his way to a 6-4, 6-4 upset of defending champion Casper Ruud on Thursday to reach the semifinals of the Madrid Open.

Blockx, 21, from Belgium, needed just 96 minutes to dispose of Ruud, the No. 12 seed from Norway. Ranked No. 69 in the world, Blockx is the fourth-lowest ranked player to reach the semis in Madrid.

“To be honest, I’m just happy with being here,” said Blockx, who upset No. 3 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada and No. 16 Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina earlier in the tournament. “Even winning my first match here. I barely escaped in the first round, and I was happy about that already. Semifinals is something I wouldn’t have even dreamed of to begin with.

Blockx will face No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev of Germany in a semifinal on Friday. Zverev defeated No. 10 Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 6-4 in his quarterfinal match.

Blockx said the clay surface is challenging but also very much to his liking.

“I’m proud of how I’ve played these past couple of matches,” Blockx said. I think the conditions suit me well here. I feel like it’s clay which is slow, so I have time to settle and hit my shots, go for my shots. At the same time, it’s quite fast with the altitude and the heat sometimes. I think it’s the perfect combination for me.”

Both players scored 19 winners, but Blocks had just 16 errors, seven fewer than Ruud.


Meanwhile, Zverev outpowered Cobolli with a 12-1 edge in aces and by winning 82.1% (32 of 39) of his first-serve points while prevailing in 90 minutes.

Zverev also had a 23-11 advantage in winners while earning his 179th career clay-court victory, most among Germans in the Open Era. He broke a tie with Philipp Kohlschreiber.

Zverev, a two-time Madrid champion (2018, 2021), lost to Cobolli in straight sets on April 18 in the Munich semis. Cobolli lost to Ben Shelton in the final of that event.

The rematch unfolded a lot differently on Thursday.

“No revenge. I love Flavio. He’s one of my favorite guys on Tour,” Zverev said. “I have a great relationship with him and a great relationship with his father. This is sport. … Sports can change very quickly. In Munich, he played an amazing match and I didn’t play a very good match. Today, it was maybe the opposite.”

Cobolli saved 8 of 11 break points but committed four double faults.

Top-seeded Jannik Sinner of Italy and No. 21 Arthur Fils of France square off in the other semifinal.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Alexander #Blockx #stuns #Casper #Ruud #reach #Madrid #semis">Deadspin | Alexander Blockx stuns Casper Ruud to reach Madrid semis Mar 2, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Alexander Blockx (BEL) hits a shot during his qualifying match against Martin Landaluce (ESP) during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Alexander Blockx won 84.8% (28 of 33) of his first-serve points and stormed his way to a 6-4, 6-4 upset of defending champion Casper Ruud on Thursday to reach the semifinals of the Madrid Open. Blockx, 21, from Belgium, needed just 96 minutes to dispose of Ruud, the No. 12 seed from Norway. Ranked No. 69 in the world, Blockx is the fourth-lowest ranked player to reach the semis in Madrid. “To be honest, I’m just happy with being here,” said Blockx, who upset No. 3 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada and No. 16 Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina earlier in the tournament. “Even winning my first match here. I barely escaped in the first round, and I was happy about that already. Semifinals is something I wouldn’t have even dreamed of to begin with. Blockx will face No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev of Germany in a semifinal on Friday. Zverev defeated No. 10 Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 6-4 in his quarterfinal match. Blockx said the clay surface is challenging but also very much to his liking. “I’m proud of how I’ve played these past couple of matches,” Blockx said. I think the conditions suit me well here. I feel like it’s clay which is slow, so I have time to settle and hit my shots, go for my shots. At the same time, it’s quite fast with the altitude and the heat sometimes. I think it’s the perfect combination for me.” Both players scored 19 winners, but Blocks had just 16 errors, seven fewer than Ruud. Meanwhile, Zverev outpowered Cobolli with a 12-1 edge in aces and by winning 82.1% (32 of 39) of his first-serve points while prevailing in 90 minutes. Zverev also had a 23-11 advantage in winners while earning his 179th career clay-court victory, most among Germans in the Open Era. He broke a tie with Philipp Kohlschreiber. Zverev, a two-time Madrid champion (2018, 2021), lost to Cobolli in straight sets on April 18 in the Munich semis. Cobolli lost to Ben Shelton in the final of that event. The rematch unfolded a lot differently on Thursday. “No revenge. I love Flavio. He’s one of my favorite guys on Tour,” Zverev said. “I have a great relationship with him and a great relationship with his father. This is sport. … Sports can change very quickly. In Munich, he played an amazing match and I didn’t play a very good match. Today, it was maybe the opposite.” Cobolli saved 8 of 11 break points but committed four double faults. Top-seeded Jannik Sinner of Italy and No. 21 Arthur Fils of France square off in the other semifinal. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Alexander #Blockx #stuns #Casper #Ruud #reach #Madrid #semis

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