Christian Garin defeated his compatriot Tomás Barrios in the Montevideo Challenger semifinals, advancing to the final. The Arica native won 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in two hours and eight minutes. On Sunday, he will face Peruvian Ignacio Buse for the title.
In an intense matchup between two Chilean tennis players, Christian Garin (105th in the ATP ranking) overcame Tomás Barrios (111th) in the semifinals of the Montevideo Challenger, played on the clay of the Carrasco Lawn Tennis Club. The match, lasting two hours and eight minutes, ended with scores of 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in favor of the Arica native, who overcame a weak start to impose his experience.
Barrios, from Chillán, dominated the first set authoritatively, breaking twice to lead 4-0 and closing it 6-4 in 39 minutes, with 76% first-serve effectiveness and two of four breaks converted. However, Garin reacted in the second set, breaking to lead 3-1 and winning 6-4 in 54 minutes, saving a key break point and capitalizing on his rival's frustration.
In the third set, Garin was solid and consistent, breaking early for 3-0, and capitalizing on a double fault from Barrios for 4-0. He closed the set 6-1 in 34 minutes against an erratic Barrios. This victory marks their fifth encounter in ATP and Challengers, with Garin now leading 3-2.
To reach the semis, Garin defeated Paraguayan Adolfo Daniel Vallejo (169th) 6-2, 2-6, 6-3, while Barrios overcame Spaniard Carlos Taberner (104th) in a marathon 6-2, 2-6, 7-6(4). With this win, Garin secures his return to the Top 100 and challenges Alejandro Tabilo (81st) for Chile's number one spot. For Barrios, the title would have lifted him to 97th, avoiding the Australian Open 2026 qualifiers.
In the final, scheduled for Sunday at 5:30 PM Chile time on the center court, Garin will face Peruvian Ignacio Buse (110th), who beat Argentine Román Andrés Burruchaga (107th) 6-2, 7-5.