Paris (France) (AFP) - Spaniard Carlos Alcaras, ranked third in the world, qualified for the final of the Paris Masters 1000, after defeating Norwegian Casper Ruud, formerly ranked second in the world, 6-4, 6-4, on Saturday, where he will meet American Ben Shelton.

Published on: 07/11/2026 - 18:21 Last updated: 07/11/2026 - 19:09

This will be the first confrontation between the two players since Shelton IV ended Alcarras' campaign to defend his US Open title when he beat him in the quarter-finals earlier this season.

Shelton, the runner-up in the Flushing Meadows tournament, had booked his place in Sunday's final after stopping the dreamy campaign of Frenchman Luca Van Assche, ranked 47th in the world, by defeating him 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 in the first of the two semi-final matches.

Shelton told reporters about the possibility of facing Alcaras, "Carlos needs no introduction after he won the title last week (in Vienna). He performs at a great level indoors, and he also presents enjoyable matches as well."

After saving two match points during his exciting victory over American Taylor Fritz on Friday, Alkaras did not need any dramatic comeback this time, as he achieved a direct victory in two sets without replying to Ruud.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion imposed his style from the back line of the court in the first set, and gradually succeeded in wearing down Ruud, achieving the only break of serve he needed in the seventh game.

Alkaras then had three chances to break his opponent's serve in the second set, and he converted the second of them after Ruud made a mistake to give himself the opportunity to serve to decide the match.

The 23-year-old player succeeded in this, as he won the second match point with an ace, reaching his first final in the French capital tournament.

It is also the sixth final that Shelton has reached at the professional tournament level this season.

Shelton (24 years old) has two thousand-point tournament titles, after winning the last two editions of the Canadian tournament.

Despite leading by a break of serve in the decisive set, Van Assche was close to achieving the biggest victory in his career and reaching his first final in the Masters tournaments, but Shelton once again showed his fighting spirit.

However, the tournament will remain a special memory for Van Assche (22 years old), after he eliminated Italian Lorenzo Mozzetti, formerly fifth in the world, and American Lerner Tien, fifteenth in the tournament, on his way to the semi-finals.

Shelton committed many mistakes in the first set, as he committed 17 direct errors, compared to only six errors for his French opponent.

His level gradually rose in the second set, during which he imposed a decisive third set, in which Shelton showed experience in advanced roles with 10 final matches in his career.

He said, “I think it is difficult at this stage of the season for a player to remain fully present 100 percent, but because I enjoy what I do here and have a good time, things become easier.”

He added, "These are the positions I want to be in, and to play against the best players in the world, and I am happy that I gave myself a new opportunity to compete for the title."

© 2026 AFP

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