Carlos Alcaraz won his first Paris Masters title on Sunday, beating Ben Shelton 7-6 (5), 7-5 in the final at the Paris La Defense Arena to complete back-to-back titles after his Vienna triumph last week.
The Spanish second seed saved six break points in the first set, recovered from 4-2 down in the second, and clinched victory on his second match point with a two-handed backhand winner down the line, according to Reuters and the Associated Press. It is his fifth title of the year, his ninth Masters 1000 crown and the 29th tour singles title of his career.
Alcaraz has now lost just once in 17 matches since his quarter-final exit at the US Open two months ago — a run that began after nearly five months out with a wrist injury.
A final without a break of rhythm
The final was a study in nerve. Alcaraz saved six break points in the opening set before taking the tie-break 7-5, and when Shelton broke to lead 4-2 in the second, the American looked on course to force a decider.
But Alcaraz broke straight back, recovered to 4-4, and broke again when Shelton served at 5-6 to seal the title. It was the kind of comeback that has defined his late-season surge — a player who, by his own admission, is playing his best tennis since returning from injury in August.
Shelton, who had beaten Alcaraz in a five-set US Open quarter-final marathon ending at 3:33am, was gracious in defeat, telling the Spaniard: “You bring out the best in me.” Alcaraz now leads their head-to-head 4-1.
Seven of nine Masters
With his first Paris crown, Alcaraz has now won seven of the nine Masters 1000 events, leaving only the Canadian Open and Shanghai for a career Golden Masters. Only Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner have completed the set.
The win also takes his season record to 44-7, with titles in Australia, Doha, Tokyo, Vienna and now Paris. It is a remarkable return from a wrist injury that kept him off the court from April until the US Open.
What comes next
The ATP Finals begin in Turin on Sunday, November 15, and Alcaraz arrives as one of the favourites — chasing a first title at the season-ending event. “This is the ideal platform,” he said after the final, and on this form, few would argue. Shelton, meanwhile, leaves Paris with a runner-up finish and a career-high world No. 4 ranking to build on.
Read more: Alcaraz beats Ruud 6-4 6-4 to reach first Paris Masters final · Shelton rallies past Van Assche to set up Alcaraz Paris final
