Alcaraz claims first Paris Masters title against Shelton

Alcaraz closed out the final at the indoor Plenitude Arena on his second match point, driving a two-handed backhand winner along the line. The 23-year-old Spaniard celebrated with his arms spread, then crossed the net to hug Shelton after their match, which lasted two closely contested sets.

Shelton put Alcaraz under pressure in the opening set, earning six break-point chances, but could not convert any of them. Alcaraz took the set in a tiebreak. Shelton broke serve in the second set to lead 3-2, but Alcaraz broke back immediately. Serving at 5-6, Shelton then faced two match points, and Alcaraz sealed the win with a backhand.

The victory gave Alcaraz his 29th career title and ninth Masters 1000 crown. It followed his win in Vienna the previous Sunday and a Japan Open title last month, making Paris his second consecutive tournament victory and fifth title of 2026. He had returned to competition in late August after a right wrist injury kept him out for about four months.

The result also avenged Alcaraz’s loss to Shelton in a marathon U.S. Open quarterfinal two months earlier. Shelton, 24, was seeking his eighth career title and third Masters championship. Alcaraz had to save two match points against Taylor Fritz in Friday’s Paris quarterfinal before reaching the final.