Cristian
Garin secured a peculiar point in his match against
Nuno Borges at the Estoril
Open. The Chilean clinched victory against the last local player in the
competition amidst boos from the crowd, particularly when controversy arose in
the second set.
The world
No. 112 took the first set 6-2 in a strong display of tennis, but in the second
set, Borges appeared to mount a comeback. The sixth game of the second set, on
Garin's serve, lasted 18 minutes and saw 32 points played, including six break
points in favor of the Portuguese player.
During one
of Borges' break point opportunities, a ball from Garin was called out by the
crowd, but his opponent continued playing it. Initially, it seemed like a break
for the local player, but as the umpire failed to make a timely call, and
despite the tournament supervisor's intervention, the point was eventually
replayed, and Garin managed to avert the crisis.
The second
set ended without breaks from either side, with Garin sealing the match in the
tie-break. Reflecting on the incident after the match, the Chilean commented:
“He stopped the point. I stopped too. I don’t know if it’s my point or if we
should replay it. Need to check it. I will check it later. The atmosphere was
crazy after that and I’m very proud of myself. It was kind of annoying during
the match.”
Cristian Garin at 2021 Madrid Open
Borges was
disappointed to be eliminated and criticized the umpire's decision: “I left the
court without understanding the umpire’s judgment. He knows he made a mistake.
It didn’t make any sense,” he said.
“Point
shouldn’t stop because someone in the crowd shouts. He felt something coming
from the crowd but we continued but he missed. Garin told me he missed because
I stopped. It’s not his fault, but he doesn’t look good in this situation as
well,” Borges added.