Carlos Alcaraz Beats Ben Shelton to Claim Maiden Paris Masters Title

Posted : 09 November 2026

Carlos Alcaraz avenged his US Open defeat to Ben Shelton by overcoming the American in straight sets to win the Paris Masters for the first time in his career.

The Spanish star secured a 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 victory in a closely contested final on Sunday, November 8, claiming his ninth ATP Masters 1000 title after nearly two hours of high-quality tennis.

The triumph was particularly significant for the seven-time Grand Slam champion, who had been eliminated by Shelton in the US Open quarter-finals earlier in the season. This time, Alcaraz maintained his composure during the crucial moments to turn the tables on his American rival.

The opening set was fiercely contested, with both players producing impressive shots and struggling to create a decisive advantage. Shelton had several opportunities to break Alcaraz's serve but failed to convert them.

The Spaniard eventually took control in the tie-break after Shelton made costly errors with his forehand. Alcaraz earned two set points, and although he missed the first, another mistake from the American allowed him to claim the opening set.

Shelton responded strongly in the second set, taking advantage of Alcaraz's errors to secure the first break of the match and move ahead 4-2.

However, Alcaraz quickly recovered, raising his level and breaking back to restore parity at 4-4. The Spaniard then maintained his advantage, putting Shelton under pressure as the match approached its conclusion.

With Alcaraz leading 6-5, Shelton struggled to hold his serve, allowing the Spaniard to create two championship points. Alcaraz converted the second opportunity with a superb backhand winner down the line to seal the title.

Speaking after the victory, Alcaraz said the tournament represented an important step forward in his mental development, particularly after navigating several difficult moments during the competition.

He also highlighted his determination to remain calm and manage his emotions throughout the tournament, especially during his quarter-final encounter against Taylor Fritz, where he saved two match points.

The victory extended Alcaraz's winning streak to nine matches following his triumph at the Vienna Open. He described his performances in Vienna and Paris as his strongest since returning from a wrist injury that had kept him away from competition for several months.

The world number three has now collected five tour-level titles this season, making him one of the most successful players on the ATP Tour in 2026.

His attention will now turn to the ATP Finals in Turin, scheduled for November 15 to 22, where he will pursue his first title at the season-ending tournament.

For Shelton, the defeat ended an impressive run in Masters 1000 finals. The American had won his previous two appearances in championship matches at that level, both at the Canadian Open.

Despite missing out on the Paris title, the world number four will take encouragement from another strong tournament as he prepares to compete against the world's leading players in Turin.

Carlos Alcaraz Beats Ben Shelton to Claim Maiden Paris Masters Title

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics