The Chilean adventure at Roland Garros is coming to an end. Christian Garin (37th), who was the only national representative in competition, fought against the Russian Andrey Rublev, but it was not enough. The seventh best tennis player in the world imposed his entire hierarchy to end up staying in what was a contested match, by partials of 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 and 7-6. In any event, Gago can safely say goodbye to the second Grand Slam of the year, as he has shown a significant increase in his game which promises to meet the next challenges of the season.

The duel already promised in the antechamber. On the one hand, because of the good level that both had shown in the competition and, on the other hand, that they were two champions of the Parisian tournament in their junior category. They knew it was going to be a demanding commitment, which could only be defined in three hours and 11 minutes of play. One of those in which it is essential to maintain concentration until closing time.

The Moscow native immediately unbalanced the game in his favor. His power put the Tank in trouble early on, who suffered his immediate break in the opener. The European did not miss the chance to take advantage of this advantage and, facing an uncomfortable Garin, he polished his serve to secure the advantage in the first set. Prospects were already looking good for the Chilean, who would have to make a one hundred percent effort to prevent his opponent from taking another step towards victory.

And the Ariqueño looked better. Determined to fight, he embarrasses his opponent. In fact, at the start of the second set, he nearly broke Rubley’s serve. However, the latter rowed from behind to prevent this from happening. But Gago did not give up. He was more solid and daring, both in serves and in responses, which allowed him to break in the eighth game to conclude with the set in his favor.

El Tanque came out to face the third set in a bid to keep going up. And despite the fact that his performance did not diminish, his opponent showed all his experience in the sixth game, breaking Garin as soon as he had the option. This is how he was one round away from victory, after not having given the Chilean any chances who, despite his difficulties, ended up receiving a slap against his illusion.

Gago had one last option to stretch the match. He was forced to stay with the fourth inning to stay alive. And the truth is that he was very close, as he broke the Russian’s first two serves, reaching a 3-0 lead which he however failed to take over afterwards. Rublev bounced back full force. He rowed from behind to break the Chilean back and get ahead, even getting two match point options in game ten. The match went into the tie break, in which case the European won 13-11, ending Garin’s Grand Slam dream.

Although Garin says goodbye to the contest early, the analysis of his performance in the first three rounds is positive. The national is rediscovering its best game, showing, in passing, that it can fight on an equal footing with anyone who is in the line of the best in the world. Gago said goodbye to Roland Garros, but fought until the end.