Carlos Alcaraz defeated American Ben Shelton in the Paris Masters final in France on Sunday, November 8, winning 7–6 (7–5), 7–5 to take the tournament’s title for the first time.
The victory gave the Spaniard his ninth ATP Masters 1000 trophy. It also reversed the outcome of their US Open quarterfinal in September, when Shelton won a five-set match.
Alcaraz and Shelton reached the first-set tiebreak without either player establishing a lasting advantage. Alcaraz took the breaker 7–5 and then had to recover from a deficit in the second set before completing the straight-sets win.
Shelton moved ahead 3–2 in the second set and extended his lead with a service hold. Alcaraz broke back to level at 4–4, bringing the match back on serve.
The decisive opening came with Shelton serving at 5–6. Alcaraz finished the match with a backhand winner down the line, preventing another tiebreak.
For Shelton, the result ended a run that had included a three-set semifinal victory over France’s Luca Van Assche on Saturday. Alcaraz advanced to the title match by beating Norway’s Casper Ruud in the other semifinal.
The Paris trophy adds to Alcaraz’s recent titles in Tokyo and Vienna. He will next compete at the season-ending ATP Finals, followed by the Davis Cup finals later in November.
Sources: ATP Tour — Official November 8 Final Report. Reuters — November 8 Paris Final Report.