Varillas outlasted Valdes 7-6, 6-7, 6-1 in a three-set battle, powered by a strong serving performance and clutch play under pressure. He racked up 13 aces to Valdes' two and saved 80% of break points faced (12/15), turning the match on his racquet.
The first set swung on Valdes' early break at 0-2, but Varillas broke back at 4-5 and took the tiebreak 7-6. The second set saw five breaks in total—Varillas leading 2-0, Valdes responding to go up 3-2, and Varillas levelling at 4-4 before Valdes claimed the tiebreak 7-6. Varillas then raced through the decider, breaking three times without facing a break point and conceding just one game.
Varillas' third-set dominance was the match's defining feature: he won 6-1, converting two of two break points and never facing a break threat. His ability to save nine break points in the first set alone—eight of nine—kept him in the contest when Valdes threatened to seize control.