Alexander Blockx breaks into Top 100 after Challenger victory | ATP Tour

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Blockx breaks ‘Top 100 babyyyy’ after Challenger win

In first appearance since Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF runner-up, Belgian wins title

January 12, 2026

Alexander Blockx has had a memorable start to the 2026 season. The Belgian, who reached the final of the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by the PIF in December, built on that momentum to win the Workday Canberra International, an ATP Challenger 125 event, on Sunday.

With the win in Canberra, Blockx made his first Top 100 appearance in Monday’s PIF ATP Rankings. The 20-year-old beat fellow 2025 Jeddah competitor Rafael Jodar 6-4, 6-4 in the final, an exciting clash between two budding talents. Trailing 1-4 in the second set, Blockx reeled off five straight games to lift his fourth Challenger trophy.

☝️st title of 2026 by Alex Blockx ‼️#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/kZZSeiNwYo

– ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) January 10, 2026

“Top 100 babyyyy⚡️,” Blockx happily wrote in an Instagram post. “I’m happy to start the year with another title.”

Jodar, 19, won three Challenger titles in 2025 and announced his decision to open on New Year’s Eve, explaining his remaining eligibility at the University of Virginia. The youngster is on top of 150 following his impressive run in Canberra.

Gea wins the first Challenger crown
Frenchman Arthur Gea claimed his first Challenger title at the BNC TENNIS OPEN in New Caledonia, when the 21-year-old defeated Jurij Rodionov 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 in the final. After winning four titles on the ITF Men’s World Tennis Tour in 2025, Gea’s recent success has helped him climb to a career-high No. 197.

Arthur Gea in Noumea Challenger.” style=”width:100%;” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/images/news/2026/01/12/18/15/gea-noumeach-2026.jpg”>
^{Arthur Gea in Noumea Challenger. Credit: BNC Tennis Open}

Martinez returns to the winner’s circle
Former World No. 36 Pedro Martinez dropped a set all week to win the Dafa News Bengaluru Open in India. The top-ranked Spaniard defeated Kazakhstan’s Timofey Skatov 7-6(5), 6-3 in the championship match. Martinez is an eight-time Challenger champion.

Noguchi defends the Thai title
Japan’s Rio Noguchi successfully defended his title at the Bangkok Open, defeating Czech Marek Gengel 6-3, 6-4 in the final. Noguchi’s two Challenger Cups landed in Thailand. As the top seed in the second leg of this week’s two-week stay in Thailand, Noguchi will aim to add to that title streak.

Rio Noguchi wins Bangkok Open.” style=”width:100%;” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/images/news/2026/01/12/18/19/noguchi-nonthaburich-2026.jpg”>
^{Rio Noguchi wins the Bangkok Open. Credit: Lawn Tennis Association Of Thailand}

Chidekh survives a decider-set break to win for Nottingham
Clement Chidekh secured his third Challenger trophy in as many years with victory in the Lexus Nottingham Challenger in Great Britain. The second seed, Chidekh, 24, rallied in the final to escape Johannus on Monday 5-7, 6-2, 7-6(5) after two hours and 46 minutes. Both Chidekh and Monday played collegiate tennis. Chidekh played at the University of Washington and on Monday, the 23rd, he competed against the University of Tennessee.