Chilean tennis player Christian Garin claimed the Montevideo Challenger title by defeating Peruvian Ignacio Buse 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2. This victory marks his fourth title of the 2025 season and boosts him to 80th in the ATP rankings. Garin now qualifies directly for the main draw of the 2026 Australian Open and overtakes Alejandro Tabilo as Chile's top-ranked player.
Christian Garin, ranked 105th in the ATP at the tournament's start, showcased his strength on the clay courts of Montevideo's Carrasco Lawn Tennis Club. In the final, he faced Ignacio Buse (110°), who had reached the title match after defeating Argentine Román Andrés Burruchaga (107°) 6-2, 7-5 in the semifinals. Garin, meanwhile, had overcome his compatriot Tomás Barrios (111°) in an earlier all-Chilean matchup.
The match kicked off with even service exchanges. Garin broke in the third game of the first set, but Buse replied in the fourth, forcing a tie-break where the Peruvian edged out a 7-3 win thanks to his accuracy on corner shots. In the second set, Garin responded swiftly, breaking in the second game and sealing it with another break in the sixth to take it 6-2 and level the match.
Regaining momentum, the 28-year-old from Arica controlled the third set. Though he missed a break chance in the fourth game, he stayed aggressive with key winners and additional breaks, closing 6-2. This title adds to his earlier 2025 successes at the Mauthausen, Oeiras 5, and Antofagasta Challengers.
Climbing to 80th in the ATP rankings not only makes him Chile's top player, slightly ahead of Alejandro Tabilo (81°), but also secures his direct entry into the main draw of the 2026 Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year.