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PARIS — Cristian Garín, a stocky tennis player from Chile, is nicknamed El Tanque — The Tank.
But Toni Nadal, Rafael Nadal’s uncle and longtime coach, once said Garín lacked “conviction” and “extra determination.” And a headline in Garín’s native country cast doubt on his mental toughness. Those doubts are dissipating, a development that has been a long time in the making.
Six years ago, Garín won the French Open junior boys title, but it was not until Monday at Roland Garros that Garín, 22, notched his first victory in a Grand Slam tournament, defeating Reilly Opelka of the United States, 7-6 (0), 7-5, 7-6 (7).