Garin Comes Through For Home Santiago Title

Christian Garin made a successful return from a wrist injury to win his fifth career ATP title in his hometown today, beating Facundo Bagnis 6-4, 6-7(3), 7-5 to win the Santiago trophy.

The 24-year-old missed the entire Melbourne Summer Series, but after an opening round exit in Beunos Aires last week, Garin dropped just one set en route to his first title in Chile.

“My biggest objective has always been to keep winning titles, but I was not expecting to win in Chile after the way we started the year,” the World No. 22 Garin said. “I always kept on training and staying positive, and I’m so happy that it’s paid off.

“Of course I miss having a crowd especially while I’m playing at home, but I’m very pleased with this result.”

Garin improves to 5-1 in ATP finals having won his last five, most recently before today in Rio last year when he beat Gianluca Mager.

Garin couldn’t hold break lead in the third, then saved break points at 5-all before getting the final break the next game.

“It was a really tough match,” Garin said. “Finals are never easy, and in the second set it was hard to concentrate. I played the tie-break too passively. But I deserved to win the third set because I had a lot of chances. I wasn’t able to be very aggressive and he played well in the big points, but I looked for my chances. I think the prize was for being there and staying consistent the whole match.”

The 31-year-old Bagnis was appearing in his first career ATP final.

“[Weeks like this] give you a sense of gratification that your hard work is paying off and is bearing fruit,” Bagnis said. “Of course, you want more all the time, and I think that’s great. The moment that you don’t want more it’s time to, well, do what you have to do. But I am still working for that ‘more’ and fighting for my goals.”

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