Zverev Stages Huge Comeback To Deny Garin

Alexander Zverev narrowly avoided a second-consecutive opening-round defeat at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters Wednesday, coming from a double break in the third set and surviving a dramatic final game to defeat Cristian Garin 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 in two hours and 50 minutes.

“My level wasn’t there at all, but it’s the first clay-court match in 11 months and I didn’t have much time to prepare because I played well in the hard-court swing,” Zverev said. “I wasn’t feeling the ball so I didn’t feel like I could hit aggressive shots. But the most important thing is to get the win.”

Garin has been a thorn in Zverev’s side throughout their careers, winning two of their previous three meetings and also beating the German in the 2013 Roland Garros boys’ final.

It looked like that trend would continue on Court Rainier III as Garin outplayed the third seed for long periods of the match to take a 4-0 lead in the decider. But Zverev, who had limited time to prepare for the clay swing after a semi-final run in Miami, staged a remarkable recovery. And Garin could not hold his nerve when attempting to serve out the match at 5-4.

The World No. 109 shanked a wild forehand and then double faulted to go down 0/30, and then netted an attempted backhand drop shot when facing his second break point, allowing Zverev to level the match.

More nerves – including a fifth double fault and netted drop shot attempt – saw Garin surrender a second consecutive break. Zverev’s own resolve was then tested as he needed to fend off three break points before finally ending the contest on his third match point. The German netted two forehand volleys in the final game but strong serving when it counted – and a clutch, low backhand volley on the final point – proved decisive.

Zverev, a two-time semi-finalist in the Principality, last year dropped his opening match to Matteo Berrettini. He next faces World No. 40 Zizou Bergs, who defeated Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-1.

“I was very pleased to re-find aggressive tennis without doubting too much,” Bergs said. “It’s been a while since I have played like this.”