ATP Paris Masters: Carlos Alcaraz beats Ben Shelton to claim fifth title of 2026 after avenging US Open defeat

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.

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.

Watch the ATP Finals in Turin then running from November 15-22 live on Sky Sports Tennis. Get the latest Sky Sports deals or stream contract-free .