Paul T. rallied from a set down to defeat Vallejo D. 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in Cincinnati, turning the decider with a break at 5-4 after losing the opener on a single break. He converted three break chances overall, including the decisive one in game 9 of the final set.
Vallejo struck first in the opener, breaking in game 8 to lead 5-3 and serving it out. In the second set he broke in game 1, but Paul hit back with breaks at 2-2 and 4-2 to level. In the decider, Vallejo moved ahead 3-1, only for Paul to break straight back at 2-3 and then close it out with another break at 5-4.
Paul's numbers were not overwhelming: he hit six aces to Vallejo's seven and lost the total-points count 79-80. But he won 72% of his first-serve points, saved two of five break points, and, with both players converting three break chances, made his breaks count at the biggest moments.