Carlos Alcaraz captured his ninth ATP Masters 1000 title and first at the Rolex Paris Masters on Sunday, when he moved past Ben Shelton 7-6(5), 7-5 to gain revenge against the American.
Shelton defeated Alcaraz in a five-set quarter-final thriller at the US Open in September, in what was Alcaraz’s first tournament back since his four-month layoff due to a wrist injury. Since then, Alcaraz has lifted trophies in Tokyo and Vienna and the Spaniard ensured he would leave Paris as the champion, producing a complete display against Shelton to improve to 4-1 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series.
Alcaraz blew the third seed away at times with his firepower, while he demonstrated exceptional athleticism to hang in points against the big-hitting American. The 23-year-old was more solid in the first-set tie-break to lead, and then rallied from a break down in the second set to capture victory in Paris after one hour and 57 minutes. Only Jannik Sinner (6) has lifted more trophies in 2026 than the World No. 3.
Alcaraz has now won seven of the nine Masters 1000 titles and is just the third player in series history (since 1990) to clinch Masters 1000 crowns in five consecutive years, joining Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
Alcaraz will next compete at the Nitto ATP Finals and will head to Turin in red-hot form, having won 19 of his 21 matches since he returned from injury, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. The prestigious year-end event will be held from 15-22 November, with Alexander Zverev, Alcaraz, Shelton, Daniil Medvedev, Flavio Cobolli, Arthur Fils, Frances Tiafoe and Rafael Jodar making up the elite field in Turin. Fans can sign up to ATP Unlocked for exclusive coverage in the Nitto ATP Finals Hub.
Shelton applied early pressure on Court Central but was unable to gain a break, with Alcaraz rallying from 0/40 1-2 to hold, fending off four break points in the game, including one with a scorching forehand winner. Shelton then produced two world-class volleys on serve at 3-3, saving two break points in the game to keep the opening set on serve.
With a tie-break left to decide the opener, it was Alcaraz who stepped up to lead, sealing a 65-minute set on his second set point when Shelton blasted a forehand long. Shelton broke the Alcaraz serve mid-way through the second set, but Alcaraz responded, firing several forehand winners in the eighth game to level again at 4-4. Alcaraz then used his momentum to fly to the finish line, playing freely and with a smile on his face.
The Spaniard sealed victory on his second match point when he sprang to his right to flick a forehand pass, before tracking down a short ball to strike a backhand into the empty court. Alcaraz embraced Shelton and then his team after his 42nd win of the season.
Shelton was aiming to win his third Masters 1000 title, having triumphed in Canada in 2025 and 2026. The No. 4 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, who will join forces with Alcaraz's former coach Juan Carlos Ferrero next season, now holds a 1-19 record against Top-3 players.
Did You Know?
Alcaraz is the second Spanish champion in the tournament's 40-year history, joining David Ferrer, who lifted the trophy in 2012.
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