BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 21: Cristian Garin of Chile. ATP Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona on April 17, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Sergio Carmona/Quality Sport Images)
Cristian Garin duplicated a cold-weather Munich triumph from five years ago, again knocking German Alexander Zverev out in a quarter-final at the wintery ATP 250 on Friday.
The No. 106 South American whose ranking once touched 17, inflicted a 6-4, 6-4, defeat on the top seed, with Zverev continuing a series of complaints about playing on clay in what he felt was a steady rain.
Garin took little notice as he went about his second upset in the series: in 2019, he beat Zverev at the same stage – saving a match point – in the same kind of winter-in-spring six degree celsius weather.
“Conditions were difficult today,” the winner said after earning his fourth career win over a Top 10 opponent.
“I just tried to play my game and focus; it was not easy. I’m so happy with the way that I’m playing.
“I’m fighting for every point. Maybe this weather is good for my game.”
He added: “I don’t care if it’s sunny or raining, I’m just trying to play aggressive, not thinking about the weather.”
World No. 5 Zverev was frustrated as he repeatedly asked the chair umpire to stop the match due to the wet weather which also left fans bundled up and shivering for more than two hours.
Andy Murray will make a return to the Stuttgart grass next month, two years after…
Stefanos Tsitaipas spent an hour in matching Alex de Minaur move for move to deliver…
Iga Swiatek stretched her clay court winning run to 10 consecutive matches as she schooled…
No-drama Taylor Fritz saved all 11 break points he faced and threw down 13 aces in…
Iga Swiatek came through a struggle with a fellow No. 1 as the top seed…
Stefanos Tsitsipas blasted through a tiebreaker to complete a satisfying 6-2, 7-6 win over Briton Cam…