Day 3 preview: Student Tien vs. Nicolai Budkov Kjaer completes thrilling round robin finale in Jeddah | ATP Tour

Next Gen ATP

Day 3 preview: Tien vs. Budkov Kjaer wins RR thriller in Jeddah

Spaniards Landaluce and Jodar play in the Blue Group; Basavareddy Vs. Engel and Blockx vs. Prizmic in the Red Group

December 18, 2025

There are three semi-final spots up for grabs on Friday, the final day of the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF in Jeddah.

Alexander Blockx, who leads the Red Group, was the only player to go through, while Nicolai Budkov Kjaer scored 2-0 for the Blue Group. Last year’s finalists Learner Tien will look to disrupt the Norwegians’ rhythm when they meet in the final match of the day, following Martin Landaluce’s first tour-level meeting with Rafael Jodar.

Nishesh Basavareddy opens the match in the Red Group against Justin Engel and Blockx faces Dino Prizmic.

View the schedule for day 3 here | View Eligibility Conditions here

[1] Student Tien (USA) vs [5] Nicolai Budkov Kjaer (NOR) [second match from 7 p.m.]Budkov Kjaer is so far untouchable, leading the Blue Group 2-0, but Tien believes he can stop the Norwegian’s charge. The World No. 28 and the only Top 100 player on the court, Tien has yet to reach his peak – squandering four match points in an error-filled loss to Jodar – although he showed signs of resurgence in a comeback win over Landaluce in four sets.

Last year’s finalist knows what it takes to win in Jeddah and faces a tough test against Budkov Kjaer, who has beaten opponents with his basic strength and consistency. The 19-year-old, who owns a leading four Tour Challenger titles this season, will aim to end the teams’ 3-0 sweep and become the first Norwegian to reach the semifinals in tournament history.

[4] Martin Landaluce (ESP) vs [7] Rafael Jodar (ESP) [not before 7 p.m.]Childhood friends Landaluce and Jodar will put aside the expected familiarity, and both starters need a win to keep their semi final hopes alive. The Madrid natives have competed together since the age of nine, but only one will be able to extend his 2025 season.

Landaluce has struggled to impose his aggressive style thus far and is 0-2 and could be tested by Jodar’s high-risk, high-reward game. Jodar saved four match points in the biggest win of his career against Tien earlier in the week, but also leaked 34 unforced errors in a loss to Budkov Kjaer – a mistake he must own in a match that began with tension and drama.

[6] Nishesh Basavareddy (USA) vs [8] Justin Engel (GER) [not before 2 p.m.]Competing in Jeddah for the second consecutive year, Basavareddy aims to improve on last year’s match record of 1-2 and qualify for the semi-finals. The American player, who is accompanied by new coach Gilles Cervara in Jeddah, will look to bounce back from a three-set loss to Blockx. The 20-year-old is 1-1 this week.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Engel, the youngest player in the field, is fighting for his first win in his debut. The German lost in four sets, but showed a lot of energy from the start, a trait he will look to use against Basavareddy. In June, Engel became the second-youngest player since 1990 to win a tour-level match (excluding the Davis Cup) on all three surfaces: hard, clay and grass. Only Rafael Nadal accomplished the feat at such a young age. He then became the youngest ATP Challenger champion in 2025 with his victory in October in Hamburg.

[2] Alexander Blockx (BEL) vs [3] Dino Prizmic (CRO) [second match from 2 p.m.]
Blockx showed his prowess this week, building a 2-0 record in the Red Group highlighted by two short break victories on Thursday against Basavareddy. The 20-year-old player saved three points in the second half only. Showing off his blistering serve and raw firepower from the baseline, Blockx saved 12 of the 13 break points he faced in the two matches, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

The 20-year-old is the first Belgian to reach the semifinals in the tournament’s eight-year history, but his focus is first on recovering from his February loss to Prizmic, who beat Blockx 6-3, 6-2 in a tough ATP Challenger event in Lugano. Prizmic picked up its first win on Thursday against Engel to improve to 1-1 in round robin play.