GUAYAQUIL/STARNBERG, November 24, 2025
Ratifying his impressive rise this season – both in level of play and in the rankings – World No. 163 Daniel Vallejo from Paraguay was crowned champion of the XXI Challenger Ciudad de Guayaquil Copa Banco Guayaquil. In a thrilling final, the 21-year-old defeated Peru’s Juan Pablo Varillas 7-5, 6-7(7), 6-3.
It was the third meeting between the two players this season, meaning both they and their teams were fully aware of the tactical keys heading into the final.
The match began in the afternoon under intense heat and high humidity, yet fans packed the stadium, creating a spectacular atmosphere.
The opening set saw several swings in momentum. Varillas led 5-3, but Vallejo took bigger risks on his shots, storming back to claim the set 7-5. The second set was arguably the match’s highest level, contrasting Vallejo’s youth and boldness with Varillas’s experience and precision – the same qualities that once carried the Peruvian to World No. 60 two years ago.
The deciding set remained tight until the sixth game, when multiple breaks were exchanged before Vallejo finally managed to close out the match, pushing through with the last bit of energy he had left.
#Highlights del partido final de la vigésimo primera edición del #ChallengerdeGuayaquil Copa @BancoGuayaquil auspiciado por @alcaldiagye pic.twitter.com/Cg3xZCkkzw
— Challenger de Guayaquil (@challengye05) November 24, 2025
“Very happy to finish the year like this, it’s something incredible. I’m very proud – truly something unimaginable,” Vallejo said. “During these vacation days I’ll think about everything I achieved, because it wasn’t easy, and then I’ll start a good preseason for next year.”
At the start of 2025, Adolfo Daniel Vallejo was ranked No. 233. He will finish the season at around No. 143 thanks to two Challenger titles in Curitiba, Brazil and Guayaquil, finals in Buenos Aires and Costa do Sauípe, and three ITF World Tennis Tour M25 titles.
Awards Ceremony
Tournament organizers Andres Gomez (director) and Luis Adrian Morejon, together with officials and representatives of the event’s sponsors, led the awards presentation.
Both finalists showed great sportsmanship and received warm applause from the crowd for their excellent performances both on and off the court.
“Thank you for staying with us. This edition was one of the most difficult to organize, but with the support of our sponsors and you – the loyal fans who came every day – we made it happen. Now it’s time to think about 2026,” an emotional Gomez said.
