Carlos Alcaraz avenged his US Open defeat to Ben Shelton with a 7-6(7-5) 7-5 victory, claiming his maiden Paris Masters title in straight sets.
Alcaraz edged a thrilling opening set, roaring towards the Paris crowd after clinching the tie-break. Neither player could find a breakthrough in a set lasting 65 minutes, with Shelton unable to convert any of his six break-point opportunities.
The second set looked to be taking a similar course of action until Shelton shocked Alcaraz with a break to love at 3-2, firing two aces past his opponent in the game, but Alcaraz bounced back with a break at the earliest opportunity to bring the scores back to level at 4-4.
Alcaraz exacted his revenge on Shelton after the American knocked the Spaniard out of the US Open
The world No 3 seized the momentum, firing up the crowd before producing a stunning winner off a Shelton drop shot to secure the crucial break, take the second set 7-5 and claim the championship.
Alcaraz’s maiden Paris title marks his ninth consecutive match win and fifth tournament victory from six finals in 2026. It also exacts revenge on Shelton, who beat him in a gruelling 4hr 28min US Open quarter-final in September.
Despite another fierce contest between the two players, Alcaraz was gracious in his victory, lauding the attitude of his opponent on and off the court.
Ben Shelton celebrates winning a point against Alcaraz
“It’s been a great week for [Ben Shelton] and your team – you’re amazing on and off the court. After a defeat, you always bounce back even stronger – I’m going to be afraid of you!
“This title is something that we’ve been chasing for a really long time.
“I’ve had a lot of painful losses here, but we never give up. We felt really comfortable coming here this year.”
“I want to give a big congratulations to Carlos,” Shelton replied.
“I don’t think everybody realises how difficult it is to win back-to-back – from Vienna to Paris. Ten matches in 14 days. It speaks to your versatility as a champion and the work you put in.
“Every time I’m on the court with you I feel like you bring out the best in me – [I’m] super happy to have you back and healthy.”
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