Alexander Zverev overcame Cristian Garin in a three-set thriller to reach the last 16 at the Monte-Carlo Masters.

The world number three came back from a set down to win 4-6 6-4 7-5 in two hours and 52 minutes, setting up a last-16 clash with Zizou Bergs in Monaco.

It was a shaky start by Zverev, who saved two break points in his opening service game, and Garin capitalised on that and broke the German's serve in the 10th game to win the first.

Zverev found some rhythm early in the second and broke ahead in the third game, and the pair exchanged breaks later in the set before Zverev forced a decider.

Garin looked to be on his way to a major upset when he raced into a 4-0 lead in the third set, but despite serving for the match at 5-3, Zverev broke twice to then serve for the win himself at 6-5.

It was a thrilling 12th game in the deciding set, with Garin squandering three break points before Zverev clinched victory with his third match point.

NEVER count out AZ! @AlexZverev overcomes a 0-4 deficit in the decider!@ROLEXMCMASTERS | #RolexMonteCarloMasters pic.twitter.com/yyWz9NulcH

— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 8, 2026

Elsewhere, 19-year-old Joao Fonseca also progressed into the last 16 with a hard-fought win over Arthur Rinderknech.

Fonseca won 7-5 4-6 6-3 in two hours and 33 minutes to reach the next round, where he will face Matteo Berrettini.

Data Debrief: Zverev avoids repeat of last year's Monte-Carlo stumble

Zverev now has a 9-1 record in opening matches at the Monte-Carlo Masters. The only time he lost his opening match at this event was against Berrettini last year.

The German also registered his 67th win in clay ATP-1000 events, surpassing Albert Costa for the fifth-most in such events since the format's introduction in 1990.