By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday March 14, 2021
Cristian Garin became the first Chilean player to clinch a title on home soil since 2009 when he won Santiago on Sunday.
Photo Source: Getty
Cristian Garin was pushed to the brink by first-time finalist Facundo Bagnis in the Chile Open final in Santiago, but the 24-year-old held firm to claim his fifth career title, 6-4, 6-7(3), 7-5.
“It’s so special for me to win in my country, I was looking for this tournament since I was came as a kid to watch the matches,” he said. “It’s an honor to me to be a champion at home, it was a very tough match and I can’t believe that I won.”
Garin becomes the first player from his country to claim an ATP on home soil with the win since Fernando Gonzalez, who won Vina del Mar in 2009.
World No. 22 Garin had not dropped a set heading into the final, and he sealed the first set with his fifth ace to grab the opener, 6-4. But the Chilean failed to protect a break lead in the second set and Bagnis was able to slip through the second set breaker to force a third set.
There was another trade of breaks in the third set and Garin saved his coolest play for later in the set, when he aced Bagnis when facing double-break point at 5-5, 15-40, then ripped a forehand winner on the next point to get to deuce.
He eventually sealed the hold and quickly earned triple match point with Bagnis serving at 5-6. Garin missed on the first opportunity but converted the second and dropped to the court on his back to celebrate his shining moment.
"This is my sixth final, so of course I have a little experiene in the important moments, but today it was very tight," he said. "In the important moments I missed a lot. The third set it was so tough."