Alcaraz vs Shelton in Paris Masters final for US Open revenge

Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton will meet in the Paris Masters final on Sunday, November 8, setting up a revenge clash for the Spaniard. The match, scheduled after both won their semi-finals on Saturday, November 7, is a rematch of their dramatic US Open quarter-final from September.

Alcaraz reached his first Paris final by defeating Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 in a 97-minute match. The world number three saved two match points in his previous round against Taylor Fritz. He enters the final on an eight-match winning streak, having lost just one of his 16 matches since his defeat to Shelton in New York.

"This tournament has always been really tough for me. I’ve struggled every time," Alcaraz said. He acknowledged the fast court conditions in Paris do not suit his game but stated he is adapting. The 23-year-old is ready for the challenge, calling a match against Shelton one of the most difficult in tennis right now.

Alcaraz's path to the final

Alcaraz's semi-final victory over Ruud was a display of controlled power. He broke for a 4-3 lead in the first set and sealed it with a 130mph ace. He won 86% of points on his first serve and hit 20 winners, including 13 forehands. The Spaniard denied Ruud any break point opportunities, closing both sets with aces in an 86-minute contest.

His journey included a significant escape in the quarter-finals, saving two match points against Taylor Fritz. Alcaraz has now reached the final at seven of the nine ATP Masters 1000 events. This is his sixth final of the year, and he aims to win his 12th Masters title, having not won one in 2026. The Paris Masters is one of only three tournaments at this level he has not yet won.

Shelton's breakthrough to the final

Ben Shelton, ranked world number four, battled for two hours and 17 minutes to overcome Luca van Assche 5-7, 6-3, 6-4. The American saved a break point in the decisive third set, winning four consecutive games to lead 5-3 before closing out the match. This victory makes him the first American man to reach the Paris final since 2017.

Shelton has a career-best 45 wins in 2026 and carries confidence from his US Open run, where he reached the final before losing to Alexander Zverev. His most notable win came against Alcaraz in the quarter-finals, which was his first career victory over a top-three opponent. Shelton has recently appointed Juan Carlos Ferrero, Alcaraz's former coach, to his team.

Revenge and redemption themes

The final is laden with narrative. Alcaraz is seeking direct revenge for his five-set US Open quarter-final loss to Shelton, a match that ended at 03:34 local time in New York. The Spaniard has won three of their four previous meetings, but the most recent defeat clearly stings.

Alcaraz mentioned he will try to do better in the finish than he did at the US Open, where the fifth set ended 7-6 in Shelton's favor. Since that loss, and after a four-month lay-off due to a wrist injury, Alcaraz has been in formidable form, winning four titles this year including the Australian Open. He returned to the tour fresh, hungry, and ambitious.

The stage is set for a high-stakes conclusion at the Accor Arena. With live coverage on Sky Sports, the match precedes the ATP Finals, which are live on the same channel from November 15-22.