Christian Garin became the first Chilean to win an ATP Tour title in 10 years when he beat Casper Ruud 7-6(4) 4-6 6-3 at the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship in Houston.
The turning point came at 2-2 in the final set, when Ruud was unable to capitalize on three break point chances. Garin broke in the next game by chasing down a drop shot and flicking a forehand winner.
Serving for the title at 5-3, the Chilean then hammered an ace to set up championship point. A heavy forehand on the next point decided the match.
The 22-year-old became the first Chilean to win an ATP Tour title since Fernando Gonzalez in Vina del Mar in 2009.
The victory was Garin's second over the Norwegian in a month. He also defeat Ruud in the Brasil Open semi-finals.
Both players dropped serve twice in the first eight games of the match.
In the tiebreak, Garin, ahead 4-3, rifled a backhand return winner for the mini-break and went on to grab the advantage.
Ruud applied more pressure in the second set, finding the range on his serve and forehand, and eventually got a backhand error from the Chilean on break point to lead 3-2 en route to the set.
"It was a really intense match today. I think what I did well was to keep playing my game throughout the match," said Garin. "Of course, now I want more, so I have to keep working hard and improving every day."
Despite the loss, Ruud can be pleased with reaching his first ATP Tour final.
"I felt I played a good match, but he was a bit better in the end and deserved the win," said Ruud. "It's still a good confidence [booster] for myself to show that I can play at this level."
Garin earned 250 ATP Rankings points and $100,600, while Ruud picked up 150 ATP Rankings points and $54,395.
