Google News
Casper Ruud lost a total of five games against Cristian Garin but afterward insisted it wasn't as easy as the scoreline might suggest. Ruud entered the match needing win and he managed to do so as he beat Garin 6-4 6-1. “It was a tough match and sometimes the score lies and it’s much tougher than it seems,” Ruud said, per the ATP Cup website.
“There were some close games at the beginning of the second set that probably decided the set. When you play long games and lose you feel like you have a mountain to climb. When you win them you feel like you are on the downhill again.
“I’ve lost to him a couple of times before [both on clay in 2019] so it’s nice to get my first win against him”.
Ruud got the job done but Viktor Durasovic didn't
In the opening match of the tie, Durasovic lost to Alejandro Tabilo.
Tabilo was up by a set and a break but Durasovic managed to force a decider. However, Tabilo kept his focus as he beat Durasovic 6-1 6-7 (5) 6-1. “Nerves got to me,” Tabilo admitted after the match. “Things started off pretty comfortably and I was playing loose, but I was looking for my first win of the year and I put pressure on myself and it showed.
Viktor started to play very well but I was able to talk to my team, which helped a lot, and I was able to refocus. “I had a little taste of playing doubles at the first ATP Cup and now playing No. 2 singles is an honour”.
In the decisive doubles rubber, Tabilo and Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera beat Andreja Petovic and Leyton Rivera 6-0 6-4. Chile didn't make the ATP Cup semifinal but Tabilo was glad with the way they competed. "We were close in all the [ties], so we're pretty happy about that.
Especially being able to win two ties is incredible," Tabilo said. "I think we're all very happy with how we are playing."