Happy days are here again for starlet Garín

Christian Garín said he was ´very happy´ after qualifying for the main draw of the ATP of Buenos Aires – and it was easy to understand why.

Buenos Aires – The last couple of weeks haven´t been the best for the 17-year-old, hailed as Chile´s next big tennis star.

Defeats in singles and doubles in the humbling Davis Cup defeat against Barbados was a blow to his confidence and pride. After an early exit from the Royal Guard Open against experienced Frenchman Jeremy Chardy last week, the critics were beginning to point the finger.

In addition, Garín dropped 60 places in the world rankings to 439 after losing the points he accumulated at Viña del Mar last year.

The omens weren’t looking good when he travelled to Argentina for the qualifiers of the Copa Claro. However, he has now pulled off three successive wins to make the main draw, where he will meet Italy´s Filippo Volandri, ranked 77.

First, Garín beat Diego Schwartzman (118). His next victim was Juan Londero (268). Then he beat Austria’s Gerald Melzer (196) in a cracking match yesterday. When the rain came down, Garín was two points away from victory at 3-6, 6-4, 5-4, 30-0.

After a frustrating three-hour delay, Garín returned to the court and polished things off. Suddenly, things are looking a lot brighter.

Tags: Argentina, Christian Garín, tennis