Zverev rallies from 2-5, battles previous Garin in Monte-Carlo; Fonseca advances

Match Report

Zverev rallies from 2-5, battles previous Garin in Monte-Carlo; Fonseca advances

Ruud units Auger-Aliassime assembly

April 08, 2026

Alexander Zverev rallied from the brink on Wednesday to remain alive on the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.

Competing on clay for the primary time this 12 months, Zverev battled from 2-5 within the deciding set to defeat Chilean qualifier Cristian Garin 4-6, 6-4, 7-5. In a mammoth closing sport, the World No. 3 saved three break factors earlier than he finally sealed victory on his third match level. Zverev let loose a roar after lastly triumphing underneath the April solar on Courtroom Rainier III after two hours and 50 minutes.

“My stage was not there in any respect to be trustworthy,” Zverev stated. “Nevertheless it was my first clay-court match in 11 months. I did not have a lot time to arrange as I performed effectively in Miami. I’m glad to get the win. It was a tricky match and he’s somebody enjoying effectively, particularly right here. On the finish of the day, generally it’s nearly getting the win.”

The 2-time Monte-Carlo semi-finalist Zverev reached the final 4 on the first two Masters 1000 occasions of the 12 months in Indian Wells and Miami, in addition to the Australian Open. Nonetheless, the German appeared set for his first opening-round exit of the season in the midst of the third set towards Garin.

But regardless of committing 47 unforced errors and trailing 0-4 and 2-5 within the third set, the 28-year-old locked down from the baseline simply in time to advance. Zverev will subsequent meet Zizou Bergs after the Belgian beat Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-1.

Garin got here by way of qualifying earlier than he dispatched Matteo Arnaldi for the lack of six video games to achieve the second spherical within the Principality. Excessive in confidence, the 29-year-old was aggressive however faltered simply earlier than the ending line, with Zverev upping his depth. Garin has discovered his finest stage on clay prior to now, clinching all 5 of his tour-level titles on the floor. The Chilean is stage with Zverev at 2-2 of their Lexus ATP Head2Head collection.

In different motion, Joao Fonseca grew to become the youngest man to achieve the third spherical in Monte-Carlo since Rafael Nadal and Richard Gasquet in 2005. The 19-year-old Brazilian eradicated Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech 7-5, 4-6, 6-3.

Fonseca is making his debut within the Principality and has impressed on clay prior to now, lifting the trophy on the ATP 250 occasion in Buenos Aires in 2025. The World No. 40 will play Matteo Berrettini within the third spherical.

Miami finalist Jiri Lehecka notched a hard-fought 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-3 win towards Alejandro Tabilo. Lehecka, competing at a career-high No. 13 within the PIF ATP Rankings, will face eighth seed Alexander Bublik within the third spherical.

Casper Ruud set a third-round conflict with Felix Auger-Aliassime. Ninth seed Ruud downed Corentin Moutet 7-5, 6-3 and sixth seed Auger-Aliassime beat Marin Cilic 7-6(4), 6-3 to achieve the final 16 in Monte-Carlo for the primary time. Ruud, a finalist in Monte-Carlo in 2024, has gained 12 tour-level titles on clay.