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Nanterre, France – World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz secured his first-ever Paris Masters title on Sunday, delivering a commanding performance to defeat American Ben Shelton (No. 4) in the final at the Plénitude Arena. The 23-year-old Spaniard triumphed in straight sets, 7-6 (7/5), 7-5, in a match that showcased the high-intensity rivalry between the two rising stars.
A breakthrough in Paris
The victory represents a significant milestone for Alcaraz, who had previously never advanced past the quarter-finals in the Paris tournament since his debut in 2021. This win marks his fifth title of the 2026 season and his second consecutive indoor victory, following his success at the ATP 500 tournament in Vienna last month.
With this result, Alcaraz has now claimed nine Masters 1000 titles in his career, his first in this category since Cincinnati in August 2025. This 29th career trophy brings him within a single title of his rival, Jannik Sinner, who is currently sidelined due to injury.
High-intensity final
The match began with exceptional intensity from both players. Despite facing multiple break points in the opening set, neither player was able to drop their serve. Shelton relied on powerful serving, firing six aces in the first set, while Alcaraz countered with creative shot-making. The set ultimately moved to a tie-break, where Alcaraz capitalized on a crucial error from Shelton to take the lead after one hour and five minutes of play.
In the second set, Shelton increased his offensive pressure, successfully breaking Alcaraz to lead 3-2. However, the Spaniard responded with two precise passing shots to level the score at 4-4. As Shelton served to force another tie-break at 5-6, he struggled with accuracy, granting Alcaraz two match points. The Spaniard converted the second with a decisive whipped backhand to secure the championship.
Looking ahead
Alcaraz remains on track to challenge the records of tennis legends such as Mats Wilander and Roger Federer, both of whom achieved 30 career titles before reaching the age of 24. This victory serves as a strong statement for the Spaniard as he continues his dominant run on the ATP tour.
Source: Yahoo News / AFP
