Chilean Cristian Garin secured his first ATP 500 tournament victory on Feb. 23 by beating Italy's Gianluca Mager 7-6 (3), 7-5 in the final of the Rio Open.

The 23-year-old recovered from a break down in both sets to take out the match in one hour and 35 minutes on the outdoor clay of the Jockey Club Brasileiro.

It was Garin's second ATP tour victory in less than a month and the fourth of his career. Each of his previous titles had come in the lower-tier ATP 250 category.

"I have worked hard for this and suffered over a number of years," Garin told reporters. "It makes me very happy to win titles like this but I have to keep working hard. Mager played an incredible match and had a fantastic final. It was a good final."

Garin, who entered the tournament ranked 25th in the world, is expected to jump to No. 18 this week.

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)