Alcaraz wins Paris Masters, defeating Shelton

Carlos Alcaraz achieved a significant victory over Ben Shelton on November 8, 2026, claiming the Paris Masters title for the first time. Alcaraz, who previously suffered a loss to Shelton during the US Open in September, managed to secure a hard-fought win with a score of 7-6 (7/5), 7-5. This win marked Shelton's first defeat in a Masters final, having won his two earlier appearances in this elite category.

Alcaraz's win at the Paris ATP Masters 1000 tennis tournament adds to his impressive collection, now totaling nine titles at the 1000-level. The match lasted just under two hours, contrasting with their grueling five-set encounter at the US Open two months ago. After receiving the trophy from former Paris Masters champion Boris Becker, Alcaraz reflected positively on his journey, expressing, "Coming here every year, not finding my best tennis but we never gave up."

Alcaraz, currently ranked third in the world, has had an exceptional year, securing five tour-level titles thus far. Only the injured Jannik Sinner holds more titles this year, with six. Going into the ATP Finals set to run from November 15-22 in Turin, Alcaraz comes fresh off a victory in Vienna, making it nine consecutive match wins.

In the final, both players showcased their skills, with Shelton, the fourth-ranked player, and Alcaraz exchanging thrilling shots. A pivotal moment came when Alcaraz faced four break points while serving at 1-2 in the first set but managed to hold. The match's opening set required a tiebreak to determine the winner, where Shelton's mistakes enabled Alcaraz to seize the advantage.

In the second set, Shelton briefly held the lead after breaking Alcaraz’s serve, but the Spaniard quickly responded to level the match at four games apiece. Alcaraz's exceptional reflexes, which he noted were crucial against Shelton's serve, came into play as he regained control of the match.

Alcaraz ultimately closed the match with a backhand winner, marking his triumphant return to form after the disappointment at the US Open. He expressed his appreciation for Shelton's performance, acknowledging the rising American player's talent, stating, "He is doing better and better with every tournament so it's going to be even tougher facing him. So I'm just really happy that I found the way." This victory at the Paris Masters positions Alcaraz favorably as he prepares for the upcoming ATP Finals and the Davis Cup later this month.