A start to forget: Garin disappoints and falls sharply in the first point of the series against Kazakhstan for the Davis Cup

Chile is suffering at the start of the Davis Cup series against Kazakhstan. In an opaque match at national level, Christian Garin was clearly outclassed by Timofey Skatov and he fell in partials 1-6 and 3-6 against the number two of the Europeans . Those led by Nicolás Massú are starting their dream of returning to the World Group on the wrong foot and now they will have to trust Jarry to surprise Bublik.

It was one of the team captain’s big bets. Massú risked it for Garin and Jarry to play the singles and Alejandro Tabilo was only entered in the doubles. In fact, the number one in the country could have been the one to play this match, but the decision put the northerner on the right track. And initially this formula did not shine by its effectiveness. Completely the opposite.

‘Gago’ suffered a break in his first service game and then gradually gave up more ground in the duel. The Kazakh always tried to throw the Chilean back and thus obtained breaks and confirmations until taking the set. It was a brutal 6-1 final. Garin was looking to break up the points quickly, while his opponent patiently dominated every aspect of the game. The numbers that this partial leaves the 26-year-old tennis player: 45% points won with the first service and only 13% with the second. In addition, he committed 16 unforced errors.

In the second set the sensations remained and once again the world 102 did not have answers to give to a player who has a lower ranking, but who made it clear that he could be a protagonist of the circuit in the years to come. Visiting and on a surface that does not suit you , won a key game for his country. It was even very well drawn to win the second set to zero, but the national tennis player was able to find a window to wake up.

It was 0-4. The beginning of the best moment of the Chilean, who took advantage of Skatov’s doubts to close the game, win two consecutive matches and turn on for the first time, in more than an hour and a half, the public who failed to fill the club. Trentino from La Serena. It was the only section where an even game was seen, but not enough to topple him. The Kazakh closed the match with his serve and won the set 6-3.

This partly gives Garin a deja-vu. The sensations, the results and the little tennis inevitably recall what was experienced in Slovakia in September 2021. It was also in the Davis Cup, but in a match which ultimately eliminated Chile. There, the winner of five ATP tournaments was also beaten without appeal and fell 6-1 and 6-0 against Norbert Gombos in just 50 minutes . It was the last time he played in a series for the Silver Salad Bowl.

From now on, it must be Nicolás Jarry who tries to level the key. He will have the difficult task since he will have to face the number one of Kazakhstan, Alexander Bublik. A party that is now becoming vital for Chileans. Going 0-2 that day would be dramatic.