Alcaraz Beats Shelton to Win First Paris Masters Title

Carlos Alcaraz won his first Rolex Paris Masters title on Sunday, defeating Ben Shelton 7–6(5), 7–5 in the final in Nanterre, France. The Spaniard secured his ninth ATP Masters 1000 trophy after a match lasting one hour and 57 minutes. Alcaraz described Paris as "a very special tournament" in his on-court remarks. He survived a difficult service game at 1–2 in the opening set, saving four break points after falling 0–40 behind. The set lasted 65 minutes and ended in a tiebreak. Shelton then moved a break ahead in the second set and led 4–2, but Alcaraz broke back for 4–4. He broke again in the final game, converting his second match point to seal the title. The victory moved Alcaraz's record against Shelton to four wins and one defeat. Shelton had won their previous meeting in a five-set US Open quarter-final in September. Alcaraz has won titles in Tokyo, Vienna and Paris since returning to competition following a wrist injury. Alcaraz has now won seven of the nine different Masters 1000 tournaments. He also became the third player since the series began in 1990 to win a Masters title in five consecutive years, joining Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. He is the second Spanish singles champion in Paris, after David Ferrer's 2012 victory. Both Alcaraz and Shelton are in the eight-player field for the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, scheduled for November 15–22.