By Alberto Amalfi | @Tennis_Now | Friday, April 19, 2024
Cristian Garin did not drop serve toppling top-seeded Alexander Zverev 6-4, 6-4 to set up a Munich semifinal vs. No. 3-seeded Taylor Fritz.
Photo credit: BMW Open Facebook
Alexander Zverev has been a star on his home stage in Munich.
Today, Cristian Garin upstaged the German No. 1.
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In a quarterfinal clash of former champions, Garin did not drop serve toppling the top-seeded Zverev 6-4, 6-4 to charge into his 10th ATP semifinal at the BMW Open.
A gritty Garin won 22 of 29 second-serve points defeating the 2017-2018 champion five years after he beat Zverev 7-5, 6-2 in the Munich quarterfinals.
Olympic gold medal champion Zverev had won 15 consecutive matches vs. players ranked outside of the Top 100, but the 106th-ranked Chilean played with command on pivotal points today.
The 2019 champion Garin continues his quest for a seventh career title.
Former world No. 17 Garin will take on American Taylor Fritz for a spot in Sunday's final.
The pair have split two prior clay-court meetings with Fritz prevailing 6-1, 7-6(4), in their most recent clash in Madrid last May.
Earlier, Fritz fought off Jack Draper 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(1) to reach his 28th Tour-level semifinal, including his seventh clay-court semifinal.
World No. 15 Fritz bombed 18 aces against no double faults and saved six of seven break points in a two hour, 15-minute triumph.
Delray Beach champion Fritz snapped a five-match, clay-court losing streak vs. opponents ranked isnide the Top 50 and will continue his hunt for a maiden clay-court title this weekend.