Alcaraz reaches Paris Masters final — Carlos Alcaraz reaches the Paris Masters final for the first time after a 6-4 6-4 semi-final victory over Casper Ruud on Saturday. The Spaniard will meet Ben Shelton in Sunday’s title match, a rematch of their US Open quarter-final two months ago.
Alcaraz, who lost in the second round at the same tournament last year, needed 97 minutes to see off Ruud. He broke late in each set and finished the opener with a 130mph ace. The second set stayed on serve until Alcaraz seized his chance at 5-4, sealing the win in just under an hour and a half.
A different feeling in Paris
Speaking on court, Alcaraz acknowledged that the Paris Masters has historically been a difficult event for him. He said he has struggled there every time he has played, but that arriving fresher this year has changed his experience. He described himself as hungry, ambitious and excited to compete, adding that he is happy to have reached the final.
The 23-year-old is now on an eight-match winning streak and has reached his sixth final of the calendar year. His run in Paris included a dramatic semi-final berth sealed on Friday against Taylor Fritz, when he saved two match points. After that win, Alcaraz apologised to Fritz at the net, with the American telling him he was simply too good.
His form in the French capital was also captured by a drop volley winner from the baseline against Ruud, a shot that underlined his confidence this week.
Shelton stands in the way
Shelton, the world No 4, booked his place in the final with a 5-7 6-3 6-4 victory over Luca Van Assche. The American reached the US Open final earlier this year, where he was defeated by Alexander Zverev, but not before beating Alcaraz in a five-set quarter-final thriller at Flushing Meadows.
That meeting in New York is the reference point for Sunday’s final. Alcaraz, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, will be aiming to reverse the outcome on a Paris hard court, while Shelton will try to repeat his US Open success.
What comes next
The Paris Masters final is scheduled for Sunday. After that, attention shifts to the ATP Finals in Turin, which run from November 15-22. The season-ending event will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with Spanish youngster Rafael Jodar taking the eighth and final spot in the field.
