Carlos Alcaraz defeated Ben Shelton 7-6(7-5), 7-5 to win the Paris Masters for the first time, avenging his US Open defeat to the American in the process.
According to Marca.com, the Spanish star won the Paris Masters, ending a wait for a Spaniard at the indoor event since David Ferrer in 2012.
The victory was Alcaraz’s fifth tour-level title of the year and solidified his position as the world No. 3. Sky Sports reported that the 23-year-old exacted his revenge on Shelton, who had beaten him in a gruelling 4-hour 28-minute quarter-final at the US Open in September. Unlike their New York epic, the Paris final lasted just under two hours, showcasing Alcaraz’s dominance on the indoor hard court.
Alcaraz Secures Victory in Straight Sets
Alcaraz claimed the opening set in a tense tie-break, roaring towards the Paris crowd after clinching it 7-5. Neither player managed to break serve in a set lasting 65 minutes, with Shelton failing to convert any of his six break-point opportunities. The second set followed a similar pattern until Shelton stunned Alcaraz with a break to love at 3-2, firing two aces to take the lead.
However, Alcaraz responded immediately, breaking back at the earliest opportunity to level the scores at 4-4. Sky Sports reported that the world No. 3 then seized the momentum, firing up the crowd before producing a stunning winner off a Shelton drop shot to secure the decisive break. He closed out the match 7-5 to claim his ninth ATP 1000-level title.
Historic Triumph for Alcaraz
Alcaraz won his first Paris Masters title. Al Jazeera noted that the victory comes just weeks after his painful losses at the same venue in previous years, where he fell short despite strong performances. This time, however, the Spaniard persevered, saving match points against Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals—reminiscent of his iconic Roland Garros final win against Jannik Sinner last year.
"It's incredible!" 😍 Carlos Alcaraz beats Ben Shelton in straight sets to win his maiden ATP Paris Masters title 🏆 pic.twitter.com/mrJMNcJgOn
The win also shows Alcaraz’s versatility as a champion. Sky Sports highlighted that his triumph in Paris came just two weeks after winning the 500-level title in Vienna, demonstrating his ability to excel across different surfaces and tournament formats. With this victory, Alcaraz extended his winning streak to nine matches and improved his record in finals this year to five wins from six appearances.
Shelton’s Resilient Run Comes to an End
For Shelton, the final marked the first defeat of his career in a Masters final. Al Jazeera reported that the American had won his two previous Masters showpiece matches at the Canadian Open in the last two editions. Despite the loss, Shelton’s performance in Paris was commendable, as he reached his third Masters final of the year.
Shelton was gracious in defeat, praising Alcaraz’s dominance. “Every time I’m on the court with you I feel like you bring out the best in me,” he said, according to Sky Sports. “I’m super happy to have you back and healthy.” He also acknowledged the difficulty of winning back-to-back tournaments, stating, “It speaks to your versatility as a champion and the work you put in.”
What’s Next for Alcaraz and Shelton
With the Paris Masters title secured, Alcaraz now shifts his focus to the ATP Finals in Turin, which run from November 15-22. Al Jazeera noted that the world No. 3 holds five tour-level titles this year, trailing only the injured Jannik Sinner, who has six. Alcaraz will be aiming for a first coronation at the season-ender, where he has yet to win the title.
Shelton, meanwhile, will look to bounce back from the defeat and build on his strong performances this year. His run to the Paris Masters final further cements his status as one of the rising stars in men’s tennis.
Alcaraz Wins First Paris Masters Title
Alcaraz has won five tour-level titles in 2026, including the Paris Masters. Only Jannik Sinner, with six titles, has more this year.
Carlos Alcaraz claims his first-ever Paris Masters title with a win over Ben Shelton! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/3WyzIKBa7c
Q: How long did the Alcaraz vs. Shelton final last?
A: The match lasted just under two hours, significantly shorter than their previous encounter at the US Open, which stretched to 4 hours and 28 minutes.
Q: What is the significance of Alcaraz’s Paris Masters win?
A: The victory marked Alcaraz’s first Paris Masters title and ended a 14-year drought for Spanish players at the event. It also improved his record in finals to five wins from six appearances in 2026.
Earlier coverage: Carlos Alcaraz Defeats Ben Shelton to Claim First París Masters 1000 Title
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