Garin Marches Past Edmund In Chengdu

Cristian Garin’s impressive 2019 ATP Tour season continued at the Chengdu Open on Monday, as the Chilean beat Kyle Edmund 6-3, 6-2. “I think it’s my best match this year on hard court for sure," said Garin. "Kyle is a tough opponent to face in the first round, so I’m very happy with the way I played."

The 23-year-old converted four of seven break points against the seventh seed to notch his 26th victory in 43 tour-level matches this year after 72 minutes. Garin is bidding to claim his third ATP Tour crown of the season after clinching clay-court titles in Houston and Munich earlier this year.

"This year I have a very solid team with my coach, fitness coach and physio," said Garin. "We have been working very hard together so I think that is a big thing for me. Of course, I won two titles and I didn’t expect it. It makes me more confident and I’m playing way better than last year."

The two-time tour-level titlist will face Fernando Verdasco or qualifier Alexei Popyrin for a spot in the quarter-finals. Garin has never met Verdasco or Popyrin at tour-level.

Briton Daniel Evans, who reached the Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com final in February, fought hard to overcome Chinese wild card Yan Bai 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(4) in two hours and 27 minutes. Bai served for the match at 5-4 in the deciding set. Evans now plays fourth-seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov.

In a meeting of qualifiers, Bradley Klahn outlasted Jason Jung 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(2) to reach the second round. The World No. 97 will next meet eighth seed Denis Shapovalov or Ricardas Berankis.