Blockx defeats Budkov Kjaer 4-3, 4-3, 4-2 in the semifinals at NextGen ATP finals
While NextGen ATP The finale is known for its innovations and analytics, it continues to showcase young rising talent. Joao Fonseca, last year’s champion, won two ATP tournament titles this season – a 250 and a 500 – and achieved a career-high ranking of twenty-four. Although he qualified for this year’s edition in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, he withdrew due to injury.
To say that this event is a launchpad for the gaming elite is a huge understatement. Two former champions have climbed to the top of the rankings, including the current world #2Jannik Sinner, and the reigning world #1Carlos Alcaraz.
Each championship bonus at the end of the season for the top eight players 20 years and younger introduces new rules and regulations while maintaining a certain core, like the first-to-4best of five sets.
If each player wins three games, a first-to-seven game will be played with a two-point tie. Additionally, there are ad-free results with the server checking the service box. For this edition, the new rules include a three-minute warm-up, a change of balls every seven games and a maximum of eight seconds between the first and second serves.
Alexander Blockx from Belgium has reached the penultimate round on debut. The twenty-year-old from Antwerp and second seed went unbeaten in the round robin stage with impressive victories over Justin Engel, Nishesh Basavareddy and Dino Prizmic. With two titles this season on the Challenger circuit, he reached a career high ranking of #101but currently ranked #116.
His opponent, Nicolai Budkov Kjær from Norway, has also made a splash this season. The nineteen-year-old from Oslo and the fifth seed claimed more titles on the Challenger circuit (4), achieved a career high ranking of #132 and is currently ranked #136. While Blockx is the first Belgian to compete in this prestigious event, Kjaer is the first Norwegian to reach the semi-finals. He went 2-1 in the round-robin stage with four-set wins over Spaniards Martin Landaluce and Rafa Jodar along with a four-set loss to last year’s finalist Learner Tien.
This was their first tournament-level meeting. Blockx won the toss and elected to serve. With two aces in a row, he went to love while Kjaer hit an ace and held 15 to level. Blockx opened and closed the third with two aces while Kjaer lost 4/5 first services still held for 2-2.
Blockx lost 3/4 first it serves but it is kept to love 3-2 while Kjaer served a double fault that still held 15 to compel the offender. Blockx ran into one 6-2 the bullet, ripping the front wings in and out and down the line, and pinned him 7-4 when Kjaer overcooked a forehand.
The Norwegian served first in the second and despite facing four break points, held with three winners, including two aces in a row, as Blockx opened with two excellent serves and held 30 to level. Kjaer faced 0-30, but with two straight winners, including a ball, he stopped at 30 ABOUT 2-1.
Blockx continued to dominate the service, making 5/6including his fifth ace, and held 30 for equality. Kjaer served three unforced errors and dropped serve when his opponent pressed a forehand down the line. Serving for a two-set lead, Blockx lost focus and turned the break with three unforced errors.
Kjaer served first on the switch and left 3-5 before leveling at 6-6, 7-7AND 8-8. With two notable winners, Blockx secured the breaker and a commanding lead. The Belgian served first in the third and, with two additional aces, held 15 as Kjaer faced triple break point and broke serve when Blockx hit a forehand across the crossbar.
Blockx, however, was unable to consolidate the break as Kjaer increased his aggression and drew errors. Kjaer opened the fourth with a sharp knife volley winner and an ace out wide, holding on for 30 ABOUT 2-2. Blockx, just two games from the title match, opened with three straight winners, including two aces, and held for 3-2 with a massive forehand down the line.
Kjaer, serving to stay in the match, dropped one 24-Fired the rally with a net forehand, and as he hit his fifth ace, conceded the match when Blockx hit two straight ground winners.
It was an exciting, intense and competitive match. The Belgian finished with more winners than mistakes (28/23) went 10/10 in net, and converted 3/7 break points. On Sunday, he will fight an American for the title: Learner Tien, last year’s finalist and world #28or Nishesh Basavareddy, whom he defeated in the round robin.
