Chile takes first point: Garin defeats Leo Borg in Davis Cup opener against Sweden

The balance tips for Chile at the start of the series against Sweden. Christian Garin defeated Leo Borg 7-6(6), 3-6 and 7-5 in the first match played by the nationals in Bologna. Important point, which leaves those led by Nicolás Massú one step away from winning the confrontation against the Nordics.

The context also serves as an impetus for Garin, who did not arrive in Italy with the best feelings. After a North American tour full of problems, where she only managed to overcome the qualifications of the Canadian Masters 1000, the second national racket had to change direction to help the team and was successful from the start.

The first set showed a firm Garin, who, without shining, managed to remain firm in the dispute of the set. Supported by his backhand and his service (76% first, winning 71% ) managed to contain a Borg who, supported by the majority of the public, forced the tie-break. Of course, in that definition his inexperience weighed in (he’s 20 and made his Davis Cup debut) and he lost a 5-3 advantage. Garin, for his part, remained calm and relied on his rival’s pressure, secure the set 8-6.

But in the second set, something changed. Garin could not maintain the advantage and lost the set 6-3. Although he only lost five points on serve during the entire set, the Chilean suffered a break in the sixth game. , opening the door so his sleeve could escape. The Swede, for his part, did not make the mistakes he had shown and extended the match until a final set, creating drama.

And the third round went blow by blow. Two players looking for a break in every service game, so in the fourth, fifth and sixth games they both came very close to breaking and extending the advantage. But everything remained the same in these partials.

A parity that brought the game to a point where there was no more margin. Garin was 6-5 and was preparing to close out the match on the return. Something that was achieved through suffering. He was precise in the first shots and took advantage of a bad climb to the net from Bjorg to go to 0-30. Then a great backhand cross to have three match points, which he missed . He finally managed to win the match after five break points, securing Chile’s first point. Nicolás Jarry will have the opportunity to close the series.