Carlos Alcaraz Claims First Paris Masters Title with Hard-Fought Victory Over Ben Shelton

Carlos Alcaraz successfully avenged his recent US Open defeat against Ben Shelton, securing his first-ever Paris Masters title with a hard-fought 7-6(7-5), 7-5 straight-sets victory.

The Spanish star navigated a tense first set, ultimately prevailing in a thrilling tie-break and celebrating passionately with the Parisian crowd. Despite the high stakes, neither player managed an early breakthrough during the grueling 65-minute opener, with Shelton frustratingly missing out on six crucial break-point opportunities.

The second set threatened to follow the same pattern until Shelton delivered a stunning blow, breaking Alcaraz to love at 3-2 with a pair of powerful aces. However, the world No. 3 showed immense resilience, immediately retaliating with a break of his own to restore parity at 4-4.

Seizing the momentum, Alcaraz energized the crowd before crafting a spectacular response off a Shelton drop shot to seal the vital break, taking the set 7-5 and clinching the crown. This landmark Parisian triumph marks his ninth consecutive victory of the season and his fifth tournament title from six finals in 2026, serving as the perfect redemption for the grueling 4-hour, 28-minute US Open quarterfinal loss to Shelton in September.

Despite the intense rivalry on display, Alcaraz displayed great sportsmanship post-match, generously praising his opponent’s remarkable attitude both on and off the court.

“It’s been a fantastic week for you and your team; you are truly amazing on and off the court. After a tough defeat, you always bounce back even stronger, and I’m going to be afraid of you next time!” Alcaraz added.

“This title is something we have been chasing for a really long time. I’ve had a lot of painful losses here in the past, but we never give up. We felt incredibly comfortable coming back this year.”

“I want to give a big congratulations to Carlos,” Shelton replied.

“I don’t think everyone fully realizes how incredibly difficult it is to win back-to-back tournaments, traveling from Vienna to Paris, playing ten matches in just fourteen days. It truly speaks volumes to your versatility as a champion and the immense work you put in.”

“Every time I step onto the court with you, I feel like you bring the very best out of me. I’m just super happy to have you back and healthy on the tour,” Shelton concluded.

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