Alcaraz reaches Paris Masters final, sets up Shelton rematch
Synopsis
Carlos Alcaraz dropped zero break points in a clinical 6-4, 6-4 win over Casper Ruud to reach his first Paris Masters final — and now he wants revenge. Ben Shelton, who knocked Alcaraz out of the US Open in a five-set epic, is waiting across the net. Few season-ending finals carry this much personal score-settling.
Key Takeaways
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 in 86 minutes to reach the Rolex Paris Masters final on 8 November .
Alcaraz did not face a single break point, winning 78% of first-serve points and 86% of second-serve points.
The win extends Alcaraz's head-to-head lead over Ruud to 7-1 .
Alcaraz has now reached finals at 7 different ATP Masters 1000 events — his 11th Masters 1000 championship appearance overall.
Opponent Ben Shelton beat Alcaraz in a five-set thriller at the 2024 US Open ; Alcaraz leads their head-to-head 3-1 .
Alcaraz said he 'really wants revenge' and needs to be 'better in the big moments' than at the US Open.
Carlos Alcaraz cruised past Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 in just 86 minutes on 8 November to advance to his first Rolex Paris Masters final, setting up a highly anticipated rematch against Ben Shelton. The Spaniard did not concede a single break point throughout the contest, extending his head-to-head lead over Ruud to 7-1.
Alcaraz Dominant From the First Ball
Ruud managed to stave off Alcaraz's first two break opportunities at 1-1 and 2-2, keeping the opening set tight. The Spaniard, however, found his moment in the seventh game, converting a perfectly timed break to seize control and close out the first set 6-4 in 46 minutes.
Alcaraz was near-impeccable on serve throughout. He won 78 per cent of points on his first delivery and a remarkable 86 per cent on his second, while seven forehand winners repeatedly drew roars from the Paris crowd.
Second Set Follows the Same Script
Both players produced clean, high-quality tennis in the second set, with a tie-break looming as they reached 4-4. Alcaraz, however, converted his second break opportunity of the set and served out the match, completing a commanding 6-4, 6-4 victory with minimal fuss.
The win extends a broader run of form for Alcaraz, who entered the semi-final carrying the momentum of a stunning quarter-final win over Taylor Fritz. With this result, the 23-year-old has now reached finals at seven different ATP Masters 1000 events and boasts 11 Masters 1000 championship appearances overall, with only title matches in Canada and Shanghai absent from his collection, according to ATP data.
Shelton Awaits: US Open Grudge Match Revisited
Standing across the net in the final will be Ben Shelton, who famously outlasted Alcaraz in a gruelling five-set thriller at this year's US Open. That defeat remains fresh in the Spaniard's mind. Alcaraz currently leads their ATP head-to-head series 3-1, though Shelton's US Open victory — the most recent meeting between the two — looms large.
Alcaraz's only previous indoor victory over Shelton came at the 2024 Laver Cup in Berlin, adding an intriguing layer to this week's finale.
What Alcaraz Said
'I'm happy to be in the final. I can't wait and I'll prepare for it as well as possible. I really want my revenge. The last time I played Ben was an incredible and difficult match. I'll need to be better in the big moments than I was at the US Open,' said Alcaraz, making clear the US Open result has sharpened his motivation heading into Sunday's decider.
What This Final Means
A Masters 1000 title in Paris would mark a significant addition to Alcaraz's already formidable collection. The seven-time Grand Slam champion is one of only a handful of players in the modern era to have reached finals at seven distinct Masters venues, and a win here would further consolidate his standing atop the sport heading into the season-ending ATP Finals.
Point of View
Though, is the psychological subtext: Shelton handed Alcaraz one of his most painful losses of the season at the US Open, and the Spaniard has not hidden that it stings. The indoor surface tilts Alcaraz's way — his only previous indoor meeting with Shelton, at the 2024 Laver Cup, went to the Spaniard — but Shelton's serve and big-match temperament make him no easy assignment. If Alcaraz wins, he closes a rare gap in an otherwise remarkable Masters collection and enters the ATP Finals in the form of his life.
NationPress
8 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Carlos Alcaraz beat to reach the Paris Masters 2024 final?
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 in 86 minutes to reach the Paris Masters final. He did not face a single break point in the match and now leads his head-to-head series against Ruud 7-1.
Who will Alcaraz play in the Paris Masters final?
Alcaraz will face American Ben Shelton in the Paris Masters final. The two previously met in a memorable five-set quarter-final at the 2024 US Open, which Shelton won.
What is Alcaraz's head-to-head record against Shelton?
Alcaraz leads Shelton 3-1 in their ATP head-to-head series. However, their most recent encounter — the 2024 US Open quarter-final — went to Shelton in five sets; Alcaraz's only previous indoor win over Shelton came at the 2024 Laver Cup in Berlin.
How many ATP Masters 1000 finals has Alcaraz reached?
With his win over Ruud in Paris, Alcaraz has reached finals at seven different ATP Masters 1000 events, accumulating 11 Masters 1000 championship appearances overall, according to ATP data. Canada and Shanghai are the only Masters venues where he has not yet appeared in a final.
What did Alcaraz say about facing Shelton in the Paris final?
Alcaraz said he 'really wants revenge' after Shelton's US Open victory and acknowledged he needs to 'be better in the big moments' than he was during that five-set defeat. He added that he 'can't wait' for the final and will prepare 'as well as possible'.
