Alexander Zverev opened the Rome Masters programme for the 3rd time in a row and the German once again cruised to a very solid win over Garin 7-5 6-2.
Garin has played much better tennis lately but the Chilean is still far away from his best tennis showed in 2019. A shoulder injury troubled him this year and it's only recently he's been playing somewhat better. He did have his moment against Zverev in this match but the German was too solid overall despite some questionable choices.
Both played well to start and it was Garin who had the first break points in the match at 3-2 for him. Zverev was able to wiggle himself out of it and break Garin in the next game 4-3. He gave it right back with some terrible shot selection but settled nicely after that taking the opening set 7-5. Garin had chances but every time he had one, he failed to produce the needed level to take it.
Things did not go too well for the Chilean in the 2nd set either as he dropped his serve in the first game of the 2nd set. From there it was a struggle to win games at all as Zverev continued to play measured tennis. He was defensive when he needed to be and attacked he needed to as well. It worked well and Zverev finished off the match with a 6-2 2nd set finish.
A good win and a spot in the semifinal for the German.